eli5: if space is virtually empty, does a space shuttle stay hot from when it exits the atmosphere because there’s less particles to absorb the heat? Or does it do the opposite and cool rapidly?

Question

I’m just curious as to the process and behavior of the surface temp of a shuttle once there’s virtually no particles in contact with the craft.

I’m aware space is cold due to the absence of matter,

But does a space shuttle take a much longer time frame to cool down with less matter available to transfer the heat of the craft to, or does the lack of matter cause the shuttle to cool rapidly?

In: 141

Answer 1

The systems on board naturally give off heat – this article is pretty interesting on this issue:

[https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2001/ast21mar_1#:~:text=The%20heated%20ammonia%20circulates%20through,made%20of%20honeycomb%20aluminum%20panels](https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2001/ast21mar_1#:~:text=The%20heated%20ammonia%20circulates%20through,made%20of%20honeycomb%20aluminum%20panels).