- In June 2025, Varda Space Industries, with support from NASA’s Flight Opportunities program, launched its W-4 capsule aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-14 mission to test a heat shield made from C-PICA. Developed in-house and licensed from NASA, this shield is designed to protect the capsule from re-entry temperatures exceeding 7,000°F as it returns from orbit. The mission marks a pivotal step in validating commercially manufactured thermal protection systems, advancing Varda’s goal of enabling microgravity-based pharmaceutical production and strengthening the orbital economy through public-private collaboration
- In May 2025, Design Engineering Inc. (DEI) expanded its 2025 product lineup with a suite of advanced thermal and acoustic insulation solutions. The launch includes ATAC Spray-On, a dual-purpose coating that reflects heat and dampens sound; ATAC™ Red Oxide Primer, a rust-preventive base layer that enhances adhesion; ATAC Seam Sealer, designed to seal joints and prevent moisture intrusion; and Boom Mat Liquid Damping Material, which reduces vibration and road noise in hard-to-reach areas. These innovations reinforce DEI’s commitment to delivering high-performance, user-friendly solutions for automotive and industrial applications
- In January 2024, researchers at Guangzhou University introduced 9PHEB—a groundbreaking porous ceramic heat shield material engineered for extreme thermal protection. Named for its 9-cation high-entropy diboride composition, 9PHEB combines ultralight porosity with exceptional mechanical strength, retaining 98.5% of its strength at 1,500°C and withstanding deformation at 2,000°C. Its unique multiscale structure—featuring ultrafine pores and atomic-level lattice distortion—makes it ideal for hypersonic aircraft, aerospace, and energy applications. This innovation marks a major leap in material science, balancing thermal insulation and structural integrity in extreme environments
- In October 2024, The CERTINA Group signed a purchase agreement to acquire two thermal and acoustical shielding plants from ElringKlinger AG, located in Sevelen, Switzerland, and Buford, USA. These facilities specialize in high-temperature insulation solutions for the automotive industry and generated approximately USD 175 million in revenue in 2023. The acquisition significantly boosts CERTINA’s High Temperature Solutions division, expanding its global footprint to twelve production and technology sites across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. It also creates synergies with CERTINA’s subsidiary, ISOLITE Group, reinforcing its leadership in advanced insulation technologies.
- In November 2023, Canopy Aerospace Inc. and Outpost Technologies Corp. announced significant advancements in heat shield manufacturing through a collaboration with NASA, underscoring the power of public-private partnerships in driving aerospace innovation. Supported by NASA’s SBIR Ignite program, Canopy developed a novel Reusable Heatshields Additive Manufacturing (RHAM) platform to produce ceramic thermal protection systems (TPS) more efficiently and at scale. Meanwhile, Outpost focused on a cargo return system for future space stations. These efforts aim to reduce production time and cost while enhancing spacecraft safety during atmospheric re-entry, contributing to the growth of the commercial space economy
