Presented here are examples of spacecraft heatshield presentations, represented by a photo guide and a rough classification outlined below. The initial goal is to document those presentations which were made at the time of the mission or by a museum during restoration efforts. Presentations originating from the collections of astronauts, NASA employees, and primary contractors are the first to be added.

As there is no prior comprehensive guide, these photos are intended to encourge further discussion and the site will be updated periodically as new information is discovered and reviewed. Already in process for update in the near future are several sections, including homemade presentations, the Space Shuttle TPS, and photos of modern style presentations.

Futher reading about types of lucites can be found on collectSPACE.

Please feel free to send in photos of different styles or other presentations you've seen for inclusion in the archive.

Proposed Classification
[Style] + [Type] + [Lettering]

Style of Presentation
P = "Puck" - Heatshield section or plug encased in cylinder shaped lucite.
C = "Capsule" - Heatshield section or plug encased in capsule shaped lucite.
B = "Block" - Heatshield section or plug encased in a square, rectangular, trapezoidal, trianglur, etc. shaped lucite.
S = "Sliced" - Heatshield section or plug encased in a sliced cylinder (e.g. shaved cone) shaped lucite.
N = "Non-Encapsulated" or "Raw" - Heatshield section not encased in lucite.

Type "P"
P1 = Lucite cylinder, no base.
P2 = Lucite cylinder, lucite base.
P3 = Lucite cylinder, wood base.

Type "B"
B1 = Lucite block, no base.
B2 = Lucite block, lucite base.
B3 = Lucite block, wood base.
B4 = Lucite block, stone base.

Type "C"
C1 = Mercury shaped capsule, rounded nose.
C2 = Mercury shaped capsule, flat nose.
C3 = Gemini shaped capsule, smooth surface, without adapter section.
C4 = Gemini shaped capsule, detailed surface, with adapter section.
C5 = Apollo shaped capsule, half.
C6 = Apollo shaped capsule, full.

Type "S"
S1 = Lucite sliced cylinder, no base.
S2 = Lucite sliced cylinder, wood base.

Type "N"
N1 = Wood base, information plaque.
N2 = Lucite base, information plaque.
N3 = No base, information plaque.

Lettering / Presentation Text
Note: Organizations listed below not necessarily who manufucated the presentation itself, but instead which organization was known to have presented it to original recipient.

A = NASA   

B = NASA    
                             [*Note 1: an instance of a number "1" which includes a serif/upstroke on MA-9 presentation.]

E = Black lettering on gold plaque   

F = Black lettering on gold plaque   

G = Black lettering on gold plaque   


H = McDonnell Aircraft   


J = North American Rockwell   

K = North American Rockwell   

L = North American Rockwell   


N = None / No text on presentation

T = Kansas Cosmosphere

X = Non-standard or special font/writing used for only one or two missions.