What is the fundamental purpose of the Thermal Protection System (TPS)?

Answer

To manage, dissipate, or absorb extreme thermal energy.

The TPS functions as an engineered envelope specifically designed to handle the intense thermal load encountered when slamming into the upper atmosphere by managing the heat energy.

What is the fundamental purpose of the Thermal Protection System (TPS)?
Aerospaceaeronauticsheat shieldthermal protection systemreentry vehicle