Ablator

Ablator
Density		1 kg/unit
Transferable		No
Tweakable		Yes
Drainable		No
Flow mode		Internal
Cost		0.5 /unit
		0.5 /kg
Since version		1.0

Ablator is a resource that is a vital component of most heat shields. During atmospheric entry, ablator will slowly be consumed, dissipating heat in the process. Ablator can not be replenished or transferred between parts. If a heat shield runs out of ablator it will stop preventing overheating for shielded parts. Ablation shields work by allowing the material to burn away to dissipate heat. The exception to this is the Heat Shield (10m), which relies on drag to slow it down before overheating. As of version 1.2.2, an overheating bar shows up on ablative heat shields. This bar never reaches the point of explosion reentering at "sane" speeds, but will do so when ablator runs out or the entry is too fast or long.

Parts

Image	Part	Radial size	Cost ()	Mass (t)	Max. Temp. (K)	Tolerance (m/s)	Tolerance (g)	Ablator
	Heat Shield (0.625m)	Tiny	150 (125)	0.075 (0.025)	3 300	9	50	50
	Heat Shield (1.25m)	Small	300 (200)	0.3 (0.1)	3 300	9	50	200
	Heat Shield (2.5m)	Large	600 (200)	1.3 (0.5)	3 300	9	50	800
	Heat Shield (3.75m)	Extra large	1100 (200)	2.8 (1.0)	3 300	9	50	1 800
	Heat Shield (10m)	Large / 10m	2 400	1.5	3 500 (3 250)	9	50	—

See also

Atmospheric entry#Ablative on Wikipedia