P50 is a cork composite in sheet form which has undergone a long period of testing in the 1980s. It has been used by NASA since then.
Dan Thomas, a retired NASA astronaut
NASA astronaut highlights cork's role in the success of space missions
BlogDan Thomas, a retired NASA astronaut, visited the premises of Amorim Cork Composites, in Trevor (USA), to honor the employees of the company for the production of a cork composite that is essential in isolating the spacecraft and therefore decisive to the success of the missions.
According to the American - who spent 43 days, 8 hours, and 13 minutes in space spread over four missions - the Amorim P50 product is a key component for ensuring the safety of the astronauts and he partly owes his own life to it. "I would not be here, whole and healthy, if you had not guaranteed that all was well made and applied at the right time," he said in his speech.
“All our employees listened carefully to the stories he told and they felt that the work they undertake here is really important and valued by these professionals”
Bill Famiglietti receives a framed poster from Orbital ATK Senior Buyer Terri Day as a thank you for the P50 cork insulation that is used in the boosters. According to Bill Famiglietti, this visit was particularly important for the collective pride of the company.
