Thermal Protection for a manned orbiter.

http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/technology/shuttle_tps_030307.html [thermal protection]

http://www.cmu.edu/cmnews/030314/030314_shuttletiles.html [adhesion of tiles]

http://www.ketzer.com/stuff/atlantis_tile.html [flown tile]

http://www.ketzer.com/stuff/endeavour_tile.html [more tile]

http://www.hightechscience.org/space_shuttle_thermal_tile.htm [Buran tile]

http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/technology/sts-newsref/sts_sys.html#sts-tps [thermal protection system]

http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Evolution_of_Technology/TPS/Tech41.htm [TPS with pics]

http://www.eng.iastate.edu/explorer/topics/spacecoat/Current.htm [current TPS]