Hot shield
Copyright: ESA
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The Huygens Probe will enter the upper layers of Titan's atmosphere at 22000 kmh-1, slowing to about 1400 kmh-1 in less than 2 minutes, thanks to the friction of the Front Shield with the atmospheric gas.
The temperature of the gas in the shock wave in front of the heat shield may reach 12000 °C, with the shield itself reaching 1800 °C.
Last Update: 1 September 2019