The Orion capsule, from , , in the United States this Friday (April 10, 2026). The final stage of the mission, which is re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere, is considered one of the most critical of the entire flight.
In just over 12 minutes, the ship goes from hypersonic speeds to a controlled landing at sea, facing extreme temperatures and intense forces. For the crew to survive reentry, Orion depends on a highly sophisticated thermal protection system.
According to the it is a shield designed to withstand the extreme environment generated by friction with the atmosphere at high speed.
The system works as a “smart barrier”: special materials are applied to the areas most exposed to heat, with precisely adjusted thicknesses. During reentry, these materials become incandescent and gradually degrade in a process designed to dissipate energy.
Much of the heat is not absorbed by the ship but radiated back into the atmosphere. Thus, even crossing flows that can reach around 10,000°C, the surface of Orion’s heat shield remains at around 3,000°C.
12 MINUTE RE-ENTRY
The sequence begins with the capsule still outside the atmosphere, at around 400,000 feet altitude. In the first few minutes, the so-called “peak heating”when the outside temperature can reach approximately 5,000°F (about 2,760°C).
Then, Orion performs a maneuver known as “lofted entry”a slight “jump” in the atmosphere which helps to reduce speed and distribute heat better. The capsule stabilizes the flight at around 200,000 feet and, already at subsonic speeds, begins the final phase of descent.
The braking parachutes deploy at around 10 minutes, followed by the main parachutes. Landing takes place shortly afterwards, with the capsule reoriented to ensure a safe impact on the water.
