English: A heat shield protected the two-astronaut Gemini spacecraft against the enormous heat of reentry into the atmosphere, which began at a velocity of more than 27,500 kms (17,000 miles) per hour. Like those of other early human spacecraft, Gemini's heat shield derived from ballistic missile warhead technology. The dish-shaped shield created a shock wave in the atmosphere that held off most of the heat. The rest dissipated by ablation -- charring and evaporation of the shield's surface. Ablative heat shields are not reusable. Picture taken at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, USA.
to share – to copy, distribute and transmit the work
to remix – to adapt the work
Under the following conditions:
attribution – You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
share alike – If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same or compatible license as the original.