Objective To design a leading thermal control structure dedicated primarily to decreasing surface thermal radiation. Methods The effect of thermal insulation materials and ventilation on its flow field and temperature field was investigated by using FLUENT software when the temperature of heat source was 200 ℃. The 100 mm thick leading thermal control structure was prepared by combining 5 mm thick thermal insulation materials with the thermal conductivity of 0.036 W/(m·K) and 1mm thick pure aluminium plates. The temperature of thermal control structure on its outside surface and different altitude planes with distances of 0 mm, 5 mm, 15 mm, 35 mm, 55 mm,75 mm and 95 mm from that was measured when the temperature of heat source was 200 ℃, 300 ℃ and 400 ℃ respectively. Then the test results were compared with those of simulation. Results Under the condition of without ventilation, the temperature on the outside surface of thermal control structure was 48.1 ℃, 66.8 ℃ and 87.9 ℃ when the temperature of heat source was 200 ℃, 300 ℃ and 400 ℃ respectively. With a wind speed of 5 m/s, the temperature on the outside surface of thermal control structure was 36.5 ℃, 39.8 ℃and 47.4 ℃ when the temperature of heat source was 200 ℃, 300 ℃ and 400 ℃ respectively. Conclusion It is indicated that the results of simulation are basically consistent with the measured values. The influence of thermal radiation on the leading space inside the thermal control structure can decrease when height increases. With proper ventilation, the temperature on the outside surface of thermal control structure and in the leading space can be significantly reduced.