Glass And The Space Orbiter Windows

Thirty seven triple panel, optical-quality window panes in eleven different sizes and shapes are produced for the space shuttle, Orbiter. The fused silica outer panes of the forward windshields are designed to withstand high atmosphere re-entry temperatures. The inner, tempered aluminosilicate glass pane is called the pressure pane. It is designed for maximum strength to withstand the shuttle's cabin pressure in the vacuum of space. The thick fused-silica middle pane is capable of withstanding both the re-entry temperature and cabin pressure.