Abstract: A vapor cooled insulation structure includes at least one vapor sealed layer, created with discrete spacers between two layers. A vapor transport layer is created within these layers through which a cold fluid may flow to intercept and remove heat from an underlying structure. In one example, the vapor cooled system carries cold vapor which is in direct contact with an underlying cryogenic tank structural support.

Abstract: An insulation panel includes a face sheet hermetically coupled to a plurality of structural walls to define a plurality of cell bodies, with each cell body positioned contiguously with an adjacent cell body. An insulation structure is disposed within each cell body and further includes a first radiant barrier layer, a second radiant barrier layer, and a spacer disposed between the first radiant barrier layer and the second radiant barrier layer. Sealed cells formed by completing the cell bodies may contain a gas that condenses or freezes in response to cryogenic cooling of a structure to which the insulation panel is coupled. Load-responsive spacers may also be disposed between the insulation structure and the face sheet to support the face sheet while in atmospheric conditions and to disengage from the face sheet in low pressure environments, such as space.

Abstract: An insulation panel includes a face sheet hermetically coupled to a plurality of structural walls to define a plurality of cell bodies, with each cell body positioned contiguously with an adjacent cell body. An insulation structure is disposed within each cell body and further includes a first radiant barrier layer, a second radiant barrier layer, and a spacer disposed between the first radiant barrier layer and the second radiant barrier layer. Sealed cells formed by completing the cell bodies may contain a gas that condenses or freezes in response to cryogenic cooling of a structure to which the insulation panel is coupled. Load-responsive spacers may also be disposed between the insulation structure and the face sheet to support the face sheet while in atmospheric conditions and to disengage from the face sheet in low pressure environments, such as space.