Rare shaped heat shield tile made as part of the reusable thermal protection system (TPS) on the Russian Buran shuttle. Tile measures 6 x 4 x 2.5 and is made from lightweight quartz material with multiple layers of a proprietary heat-resistant composite coating, and capable of handling temperatures up to 2700 degrees Farenheit during its re-entry. Two Burans were manufactured and prepared for launch, but after a single unpiloted orbital mission, and the collapse of the Soviet Union, the program was canceled. RR Auction COA.
