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Catalog Data

Manufacturer:
McDonnell Aircraft Corp.  Search this
Materials:
Phenolic resin-based heatshield material
Dimensions:
Approximate: 8.4 x 12.2 x 2.5cm (3 5/16 x 4 13/16 x 1 in.)
Other: 11cm (4 5/16 in.)--length, short side
Type:
SPACECRAFT-Crewed-Parts & Structural Components
Country of Origin:
United States of America
Summary:
This fragment of the ablative heatshield of Aurora 7, the Mercury spacecraft M. Scott Carpenter flew on May 24, 1962, demonstrates the impact of reentry into the atmosphere from orbit. Each Mercury spacecraft featured a gently curved heatshield with a diameter of 203 cm (80 in) and a radius of curvature of 305 cm (120 in). Heatshields protect by creating a shock wave in the thin upper atmosphere that holds the superheated gas away from the spacecraft, creating a somewhat cooler boundary layer. An ablative shield’s material chars, melts, and sublimates, carrying away the remaining heat, protecting the spacecraft. The charring demonstrates the impact of temperatures of nearly 1100 C (2000 F) degrees during a reentry at a velocity of over 27,000 km/h (17,000 mph) from low Earth orbit.
NASA transferred this fragment to the Smithsonian in 1967, along with the spacecraft.
Credit Line:
Transferred by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Inventory Number:
A19680263003
Restrictions & Rights:
Usage conditions apply
See more items in:
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Data Source:
National Air and Space Museum
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv9577a0596-366e-4206-81bb-569b558ad41f
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nasm_A19680263003