ablator

American  

[a-bley-ter] / æˈbleɪ tər /

noun

Aerospace.

1. ablation3

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ablator British  

/ æbˈleɪtə /

noun

1. the heat shield of a space vehicle, which melts or wears away during re-entry into the earth's atmosphere

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Etymology

Origin of ablator

ablate + -or ²

Example Sentences

The Starliner’s base heat shield has an ablator, a proprietary material that absorbs energy on re-entry and only chars “like a marshmallow,” said David Schiller, leader of Boeing’s commercial crew aerostructures integrated product team.

From Seattle Times

The Starliner’s base heat shield has an ablator, a proprietary material that absorbs energy on reentry and only chars “like a marshmallow,” said David Schiller, leader of Boeing’s commercial crew aerostructures integrated product team.

From Los Angeles Times