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Gaganyaan Thermal Protection System: Heat Shield for Re-entry

22 August 20261 min read
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGYGaganyaan ThermalProtection System:Heat Shield forRe-entry22 August 2026safalsetu.com

Why in the news

ISRO’s test work on the capsule’s heat shield is part of the groundwork for India’s human spaceflight mission.

About the TPS

  • Job: keep intense heat away from the vehicle during fast re-entry.
  • Form: an external protective layer around the spacecraft.
  • Problem solved: very high aerodynamic heating caused by the craft’s speed.
  • Outcome: excess heat does not reach the crew module and astronauts.

Significance

  • A vital safety system for astronauts returning from space.

Exam angle

  • Full form: TPS means Thermal Protection System.
  • Mission linked to it: Gaganyaan, India’s human spaceflight programme.
  • Organisation testing it: ISRO.

Test yourself

1. What does the Thermal Protection System of a spacecraft do during re-entry?

It prevents excessive heat from reaching the crew module.

2. Which organisation is testing the TPS for the Gaganyaan mission?

ISRO is testing the TPS as part of Gaganyaan preparations.

3. Heating during re-entry is mainly caused by what?

High speed causes very high aerodynamic heating.

This topic is part of Daily Current Affairs 21 August 2026 (25 topics).

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