Spacecraft heat shield insulation after use. This material is honeycombed for additional strength, and was used in a heat shield (thermal protection system) on a manned spacecraft. The material is designed to shield the spacecraft and the astronauts inside from the heat of re-entry. Temperatures of over 1500 degrees Celsius can occur during re-entry. This heat has caused the warping seen here. Heat shields of this sort are usually of a type known as ablative. The materials used vary from carbon-based fibres to silica ceramics.