The Stardust sample return probe had an interesting re-entry to Earth's atmosphere. Returning from a solar orbit the maximum deceleration has been reported as 34g.

Maximum temperatures are estimated at around 3,000 degrees C. It should be noted that the entry probe had no re-entry data recording so this measurement was estimated from spectroscopic examination of the heat shield as it descended, which must have been an interesting day's work.

The spectroscopic measurement was taken through the glowing plasma surrounding it, and the range of the measurement will mean that the temperature is an average over the whole shield. As a result this doesn't represent a direct measurement from the hottest point on the heat shield, but it's interesting reading nonetheless.

The Stardust sample return probe had an interesting re-entry to Earth's atmosphere. Returning from a solar orbit the maximum deceleration has been reported as 34g.

Maximum temperatures are estimated at around 3,200 Kelvin or 2900 degrees C at the surface. It should be noted that the entry probe had no re-entry data recording so this measurement was estimated from spectroscopic examination of the heat shield as it descended, which must have been an interesting day's work.

The spectroscopic measurement was taken through the glowing plasma surrounding it, and the range of the measurement will mean that the temperature is an average over the whole shield. As a result this doesn't represent a direct measurement from the hottest point on the heat shield, but it's interesting reading nonetheless.