Space Technology Hall of Fame
Induction Year 2012
Flexible Aerogel Insulating System

Inducted In:
2012, Consumer, Health, Home, Industrial Productivity/Manufacturing Technology, Medicine, Recreation
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 James Fesmire, senior principal investigator of the Cryogenics Test…
Early Fire and Smoke Detection System – FireWatch

Inducted In:
2012, Public Safety
DLR and the private firm IQ Wireless took technology developed by DLR to analyze gases and particles in space and created a terrestrial detection tool known as FireWatch that uses high-resolution optical sensors installed on towers or masts that connect to a remote central office to monitor forests and detect potential fires. With sensors that…