The invention is a thermal insulation tile for providing thermal protection of the external surface of a vehicle. In detail, the tile includes a rigid ceramic core having top and bottom surfaces, side surfaces and parallel front and rear surfaces at a 15 to 45 degree angle to said top surface. A cover completely surrounds the core and is bonded thereto. A plurality of rigid rods extends through the core and the cover and are bonded thereto. The rods are at an angle of between 10 and 30 degrees to the top surface of the core, with the angle thereof in an angular direction opposite to the front and rear surfaces of the core.