INNOVATION · April 10, 2026
After Artemis I, cork returns to space in the spacecraft’s thermal protection system.
Engineered into a high-performance composite, Portuguese cork flew again aboard NASA’s Artemis II, shielding critical structures from extreme temperatures during launch, flight and reentry.
In aerospace, every material is rigorously tested, so a second mission is a powerful signal that cork’s performance is proven. The same bark harvested by hand from Mediterranean forests is moulded, machined and finished to exacting standards. One of nature’s most renewable materials is also one of its most advanced.
Key Facts
- Thermal insulation under extreme heat
- Energy absorption under mechanical stress
- Flexibility to fit complex spacecraft geometries
