The National Aeronautics and Space Administration said the lightweight ceramic ablator, or LCA, material is slightly denser than balsa wood and is designed to protect a spacecraft during its fiery re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.

The LCA is a low-density material that weighs one-fifth as much as conventional heat shields, but can withstand temperatures up to 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit, according to NASA project engineers. The material has a foundation made of fibers coated with a thin layer of organic polymeric resin. The resin, traditionally used as a bonding agent, creates a light, durable, heat-resistant shield.

"This material will play a key role in NASA's future space missions as we mount human and robotic missions to the moon, asteroids, Mars and throughout the solar system," said S. Pete Worden, the director of NASA's Ames Research Center. "This is indeed an honor and I'm very proud of the Ames team that developed this critical technology."

NASA's general counsel selects the agency's Invention of the Year Award with technical assistance from NASA's Inventions and Contributions Board.