One of the most common insulators used in homes and facilities is known as radiant barrier, or a layer of reflective material that keeps heat in or out of indoor spaces. Perfected by NASA early in the space program, you can also find radiant barrier in emergency blankets and in sheets that help keep beer and other beverages cold.
Most everyday insulation — such as clothing, blankets, and travel mugs — works by preventing the conduction of heat from one side to the other. But early in the space program, NASA engineers calculated that to insulate a spacesuit against the temperature extremes of space, conventional insulation would have to be several feet thick. So they turned instead to materials that would reflect radiation and eventually mastered the technology. Today, radiant barrier technology is commonly used at NASA and throughout the world.
Learn more about how NASA helped develop technology that impacts reflective insulation within your home's outside environment!