dsca0584.jpg

Detail of the edge of the Gemini heatshield.

The honeycomb structure is clearly visible here.

Inspecting the edge of the heatshield shows that the ablative honeycomb comprises only about 1/3 of the thickness shown here (but this is not necessarily indicative of the actual thickness of the heatshield; see the "lip" on the unflown heatshield at the Udvar-Hazy Center).