Heat protection against burnup and cold protection against the void of space is provided by materials applied to the outer skin of the vehicle to maintain acceptable temperatures.
The outside of the vehicle is made of aluminum and epoxy. Reentry temperatures can exceed 3,000 °F1. Outside temperatures can plummet to minus 250 °F2.
Materials are used in a preferred order and include:
1Reinforced carbon fiber.
2High temperature reusable surface insulation.
3Low temperature reusable surface insulation.
4Specialized materials for other exposed internal surfaces.
a)Flexible surface insulation over standard shapes
b)Insulating blankets strapped to non-standard shapes
1. 1650 °C
2. -155 °C