NASA is developing an inflatable thermal protection system known as Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (HIAD). It consists of a giant cone of inner tubes assembled sort of like a child's stacking ring toy may some day help cargo, or even people, land on another planet, return to Earth or any destination with an atmosphere. The HIAD could give NASA more options for future planetary missions, because it could allow spacecraft to carry larger, heavier scientific instruments and other tools for exploration. Improved thermal insulations will play a key role in HIAD and other TPS of the future.
According to the Department for Communities and Local Government, 118,760 new homes were built in 2014. This creates a potential market for 320 million square feet of thermal house wrap each year.
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