Soojustüki

Soojustüki, also known as a heat shield or thermal protection system, is a critical component used in space exploration to protect spacecraft and their occupants from the extreme heat generated during atmospheric re-entry. The primary function of a soojustüki is to dissipate the heat generated by the friction between the spacecraft and the Earth's atmosphere, which can reach temperatures of up to 1,650 degrees Celsius (3,000 degrees Fahrenheit).

The design of a soojustüki varies depending on the mission and the spacecraft it is protecting. For example, the Space Shuttle used a reusable soojustüki made of reinforced carbon-carbon composite, which could withstand multiple re-entries. In contrast, the Apollo spacecraft used an ablative soojustüki, which burned away during re-entry to protect the underlying structure.

The effectiveness of a soojustüki is crucial for the safety of astronauts and the success of space missions. Without proper thermal protection, the spacecraft and its occupants would be exposed to temperatures that could cause structural failure or even catastrophic disintegration. As such, the development and testing of soojustüki technologies are ongoing areas of research and development in the field of aerospace engineering.