heat shield
noun
: a barrier of ablative material to protect a space capsule from heat on its entry into an atmosphere
Examples of heat shield in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
It could also be used for spacecraft heat shields, seals, and gaskets in extreme environments.
—
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 13 Dec. 2025
The spacecraft is currently using its main high-gain antenna as a heat shield to protect itself from the sun, according to an ESA statement.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 11 Dec. 2025
Most of Juice’s data won’t arrive on Earth until February because the spacecraft is using its main antenna as a heat shield to protect it from the sun during its long journey to Jupiter.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 8 Dec. 2025
SpaceX's original plan was to build a lander based on its still-experimental Starship rocket – more than just based on it, the craft would essentially be a complete, baseline Starship complete with airfoils and heat shields.
—New Atlas, 7 Nov. 2025
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Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 13 Dec. 2025
The spacecraft is currently using its main high-gain antenna as a heat shield to protect itself from the sun, according to an ESA statement.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 11 Dec. 2025
Most of Juice’s data won’t arrive on Earth until February because the spacecraft is using its main antenna as a heat shield to protect it from the sun during its long journey to Jupiter.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 8 Dec. 2025
SpaceX's original plan was to build a lander based on its still-experimental Starship rocket – more than just based on it, the craft would essentially be a complete, baseline Starship complete with airfoils and heat shields.
—New Atlas, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heat shield
Cite this Entry
“Heat shield.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heat%20shield. Accessed 19 Dec. 2025.
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