Space: Did You Know That #12

[Robert Bruce]

Did You Know:


The Space Shuttle's Thermal Protection System is comprised of over thirty thousand tiles, all of which are inspected following a mission.

Though they can withstand remarkably high temperatures, they are essentially constructed of (very pure) sand!

In fact, one can be heated to peak temperature, yet become cool enough to be held in a bare hand within a minute of being removed from the heat source.