What are the windows in the space shuttle made of?

aluminum silicate glass
The windows on the space shuttle are actually made out of aluminum silicate glass and fused silica glass. The orbiter windows are actually three different panes, there’s an interior pressure pane because the pressure inside the orbiter is a lot higher than it is in the vacuum of space.

What material is used to cover the exterior of the space shuttle?

Much of the shuttle was covered with LI-900 silica tiles, made from essentially very pure quartz sand. The insulation prevented heat transfer to the underlying orbiter aluminium skin and structure. These tiles were such poor heat conductors that one could hold one by the edges while it was still red hot.

How thick is the glass on a space shuttle?

The innermost pane is constructed of tempered aluminosilicate glass to withstand the crew compartment pressure. It is 0.625 of an inch thick.

How long does it take for a space shuttle to get back to earth?

Once the orbiter is tail first, the crew fires the OMS engines to slow the orbiter down and fall back to Earth; it will take about 25 minutes before the shuttle reaches the upper atmosphere.

What glass does the space shuttle use?

alumino-silicate glass
Inside, the space shuttle often utilizes a tempered alumino-silicate glass pane which is also called the pressure pane. This protection is needed so the vehicle can more easily withstand extreme cabin pressure in the vacuum of space.

How hot does space shuttle get reentry?

During re-entry, the shuttle is going so fast, it compresses the air ahead of it. The compression of the air layers near the leading edges of the shuttle is quick, causing the temperature of the air to rise to as high as 3000 degrees Fahrenheit!

What comes out of the bottom of a space shuttle?

There are two main types of tiles, one a black-coated tile called HRSI for High-Temperature Reusable Surface Insulation tile. These tiles can withstand up to 2,300 degrees F (1,260 degrees C). They cover the bottom of the shuttle, areas around the forward windows, and several other key areas.