Heatsheets is proud to have our technology inducted into the Space Foundation’s Space Technology Hall of Fame.

From Space Watch, the Space Foundation’s publication.

Highlighting Two Space Technology Hall of Fame Inductees

By Rebecca Williams
April 2015

Image via Space Watch

With the 31st Space Symposium on the horizon, I would like to highlight two of our Space Certification corporate level partners whose technology has been inducted into the prestigious Space Technology Hall of Fame®. The Space Technology Hall of Fame® comprises many extraordinary innovations — all derived from, or significantly improved by, space research or exploration.

AFM Heatsheets®
Heatsheets® is the flagship brand of Advanced Flexible Materials (AFM), a leading manufacturer of reflective insulation fabrics that harness natural energy sources like body and solar heat, which became a Certified Space Technology Program Partner with the Space Foundation in 2001, then promoted their level of partnership to Corporate Member Partners in 2006, as well as holding an exclusivity agreement for Vacuum-metalized thermal reflective material products Thermo-Lite and Thermal Reflective Material Products. Companies that have an exclusivity agreement with the Space Foundation are recognized as the sole company that has the distinction of being Space Certified by the Space Foundation.

Since the inception of the exclusivity agreement, AFM has held several sub-license agreements with companies that use the thermal reflective material as a basis for their products. These companies are also granted the privilege of displaying the Certified Space Technology seal on product labeling and materials.

Heatsheets® utilize proprietary Silver Lining® temperature-control technology, based on Radiant Barrier technology originally developed by NASA to protect astronauts, space crafts and equipment from temperature extremes from -400⁰ F to 400⁰ F.

Silver Lining® reflects up to 90 percent of a person’s body heat back to the wearer, or can be flipped to reflect external heat sources. This allows Heatsheets® to develop products that keep individuals comfortable in virtually any weather, from cooling off or staying warm, to protecting against the wind and staying dry in the rain. Since the 1980 New York City Marathon debut, Heatsheets has been the premier choice for branded finish line blankets. Thirty-five years later, they remain a trusted business partner and Heatsheets® remain the preferred products for this and other endurance events, outdoor adventure and survival, military and emergency services. In addition, the material is easily cut and sewn in to a variety of consumer goods, most widely used in products for endurance races and emergency survival. The thin space blanket and other clothing-related products offer excellent warmth and protection at minimal weight and bulk.

In 1996, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Quantum International Corp and Radiant Technologies, Inc., were inducted into the Space Technology Hall of Fame® for the development of this valuable technology.

The radiant barrier was a useful temperature controller in space, so the Earth applications possible soon followed. U.S. firms acquiring the technology manufacture and market insulation using a combination of high-grade aluminum overlaid around a core of fire-resistant propylene or Mylar. These radiant barriers are being used in home and commercial buildings, and in automobiles, trucks and food transports. The now multi-million-dollar metallized plastic market continues to grow.

The technology has been used as wrappers for candy and other food products as well. And large packaging protection products such as aluminized shipping bags, pallet covers, food cart covers and medical bags have also been developed.

READ MORE from Space Watch about our fellow inductees, Outlast Technologies.