Space honour for aerogels

The Space Foundation has inducted low-density, light-weight flexible aerogel insulating nonwovens into its Space Technology Hall of Fame.

Dr George L. Gould, Aspen Aerogels’ vice-president of research and development, was also inducted for his role in developing and adapting aerogels for commercial use.

The Space Foundation established the Space Technology Hall of Fame in 1988 to increase public awareness of the benefits that result from space exploration programmes and to encourage further innovation. It honours technologies that were originally developed for space applications and have now been modified for products and services used on Earth.

Flexible aerogels were originally developed to serve as a barrier to the extreme temperatures that occur during rocket launches and that affect spacecraft as they are exposed to both high heat and severe cold.

Because the initial silica aerogels were fragile and expensive, NASA contracted with the Cryogenics Test Laboratory at Kennedy Space Center and Aspen Systems to produce affordable and easy-to-use aerogel composite blankets for space applications.  

Aspen Aerogels, a spin-off from Aspen Systems, continued its development of the product to produce three variations – Cryogel, Pyrogel and Spaceloft – that are now used in industrial, construction, refrigeration, automotive and other commercial applications.

The Hall of Fame also honoured Aspen Systems and its president and chief executive officer Dr Kang P. Lee for their roles in developing aerogels.

“These inductees are extraordinary examples of how space research and development can, eventually, make our lives on Earth safer, more comfortable and more environmentally sustainable,” said Space Foundation Director Kevin Cook.