Organic Aerogels with Improved Resilience and Flexibility for Multifunctional Protection in Spacesuits

Aspen Aerogels Inc. proposes to develop high resilience polymeric aerogel for use as a multifunctional spacesuit material which will significantly improve human comfort and maneuverability in advanced extravehicular activity (EVA). The proposed aerogel material will exhibit excellent elastic recovery, flexibility, durability, temperature sensitive water permeability, along with excellent thermal insulation properties at low weight and volume. The proposed developments will result in materials with excellent resilience and flexibility which can be used for advanced space suits or garments with increased comfort and maneuverability. The novel resilient aerogels will overcome the weak, brittle, dusty nature of conventional inorganic aerogels, and the high compression set and lack of durability of the organic aerogels previously developed. The aerogels will be multifunctional as they will provide superior thermal insulation and inherent radiation protection suitable for NASA EVA suits and exploration habitats. These aerogel materials are also applicable to NASA's space hardware and vehicles as well as many other aerospace, military, and commercial insulation applications.