Temperature Tiles
Short answer: The Space Shuttle's thermal protection system used about 24,300 tiles, mostly silica-fiber ceramic, to shield the orbiter during reentry.
The highest-temperature tiles were rated for about 1,260 degrees Celsius, and because the material is largely empty space it conducts heat so poorly that a tile glowing hot in the middle can be held at the edges moments after leaving a furnace. The footage, credited to asgardia_space, shows a tile being heated and then held by hand.
What should you know about Temperature Tiles?
Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.
About 24,300.
Silica fiber.
Video transcript: Temperature Tiles: Shuttle Tiles Could Glow Red-Hot yet Be Held by the Edges
Did you know? Spacecraft thermal protection tiles can withstand temperatures exceeding 1,260 degrees Celsius while remaining cool enough underneath to protect the vehicle structure. The space shuttle used approximately 24,300 individual tiles, made primarily from silica fibers. With each tile containing an enormous amount of microscopic empty space, that dramatically reduces heat conduction. You can even hold one in your hand. NOW YOU KNOW!
Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 23.6s Reel ·
The write-up
Shuttle tiles could glow red-hot yet be held by the edges. They were mostly empty space.
- Exhibit A
Count
About 24,300.
- Exhibit B
Material
Silica fiber.
- Exhibit C
Rating
About 1,260 C.
- Exhibit D
Structure
Mostly empty space.
- Exhibit E
Use
Reentry shield.
Questions people ask about Temperature Tiles
Tile count?
Orbiter.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Count) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle thermal protection system
Main material?
Ceramic.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Material) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle thermal protection system
Rated to?
HRSI.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Rating) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle thermal protection system
Why poor conductor?
Porous.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Structure) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle thermal protection system
Purpose?
Heat.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Use) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle thermal protection system
Test Your Knowledge
All quizzes →5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.
Tile count?
- About 24,300
- 100
- 1 million
- 500
Show the answer
Answer: A. About 24,300 Orbiter. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Count) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle thermal protection system
Main material?
- Silica
- Steel
- Wood
- Copper
Show the answer
Answer: A. Silica Ceramic. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Material) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle thermal protection system
Rated to?
- About 1,260 C
- 100 C
- 10,000 C
- 0 C
Show the answer
Answer: A. About 1,260 C HRSI. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Rating) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle thermal protection system
Why poor conductor?
- Mostly empty space
- Painted
- Wet
- Magnetic
Show the answer
Answer: A. Mostly empty space Porous. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Structure) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle thermal protection system
Purpose?
- Reentry protection
- Decoration
- Solar power
- Radio
Show the answer
Answer: A. Reentry protection Heat. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Use) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle thermal protection system
Cite this case file
Easterling, Marcus. "Temperature Tiles." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-754, last updated Oct 19, 2026. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/temperature-tiles/
Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/temperature-tiles/ · Last updated
Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-754-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/temperature-tiles/#DD-754-F01
