How long does shuttle re-entry burn last?

[aseylys]

So as the title states, I would like to know how long the space shuttle's re-entry burn last? I know that it get to about 1500 C and why it burns I just want to know how long it lasts.

And as a second question as an add on, is there any flexible material that can withstand that heat for that amount of time?

Thanks

 

[DavidSnider]

It lasts about 30 minutes.

Not sure about the second question.

 

[Lsos]

That sounds long...are you sure about that?

 

[aseylys]

Thats what I was thinking, I'm almost sure that the entire re-entry is less than 30 minutes.

 

[DavidSnider]

From what I read Atmosphere to Touchdown is 35 minutes.

 

[aseylys]

I'm just looking for the time the shuttle is in the 1500 Celcius area, not how long the entire re-entry is.

 

[DavidSnider]

I'm rechecking what I read, that does sound a bit long. Maybe I missed something.

 

[RonL]

I'm rechecking what I read, that does sound a bit long. Maybe I missed something.

I'm not sure where the burn starts, but when the shuttle passes over Waco Texas it is still glowing like an arch weld moving across the sky.

Ron

 

[DavidSnider]

"The hot ionized gases of the atmosphere that surround the orbiter prevent radio communication with the ground for about 12 minutes (i.e., ionization blackout)."

http://science.howstuffworks.com/space-shuttle7.htm

That looks like a pretty good hint.

 

[Lsos]

I was trying t figure this out, and I just read that there never actually is an ionization blackout for the space shuttle, as the hot ionized gases don't ever fully envelop it. I guess different sources give different info...

 

[aseylys]

Ok that is helpful, but I do have another question:

What is the altitude from the beginning of the burn to the end, like vertical height, not distance flown by the shuttle?

 

[ag_ghost]

http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/nasafact/pdf/LandingSS-2005.pdf

and

http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2009/aug/HQ_09-188_IRVE_launch.html