2000°F Flame vs. Shuttle Tile—Will the Marshmallows Melt?

How does a space shuttle tile protect the astronauts inside? Museum Educator Emily explains how shuttle tiles are made of glass and air, so they are incredibly good thermal insulators. This means that you can melt a penny on top of a shuttle tile at 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, while marshmallows placed underneath the tile remain untoasted. These tiles are glued to the outside of space shuttles because they do not allow thermal energy to move through them!