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
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But across the years, as the space plane has missed one major technical deadline after another—often because of difficulties with its heat shield—the dream has faded.
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Tom Metcalfe, Scientific American, 13 Apr. 2026
The trip broke the record for farthest space flight accomplished by humans and gave the scientists aboard the spacecraft a chance to test critical systems within Orion, including the ship's life support system, maneuverability, its heat shield, and the first toilet to ever orbit the moon.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026
Space agency officials’ blood pressure was further elevated as experts closely watched the performance of the craft’s heat shield, which astronauts rely on to slow them down and keep temperatures livable.
—Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
During the unmanned Artemis I mission in 2022, engineers discovered more than 100 locations on the Orion heat shield that had cracked and broken off during reentry.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026
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Tom Metcalfe, Scientific American, 13 Apr. 2026
The trip broke the record for farthest space flight accomplished by humans and gave the scientists aboard the spacecraft a chance to test critical systems within Orion, including the ship's life support system, maneuverability, its heat shield, and the first toilet to ever orbit the moon.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026
Space agency officials’ blood pressure was further elevated as experts closely watched the performance of the craft’s heat shield, which astronauts rely on to slow them down and keep temperatures livable.
—Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
During the unmanned Artemis I mission in 2022, engineers discovered more than 100 locations on the Orion heat shield that had cracked and broken off during reentry.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026
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 14 Apr. 2026.
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