This is a sample thermal blanket like those covering most of the Space Shuttle fuselage, upper wings, and vertical tail. Quilted blankets replaced most of the white tiles originally applied to the topside of the vehicle because they are lighter weight, more durable, and easier to make and install. The flexible, reusable blankets are made of woven high-purity silica batting sandwiched between layers of woven silica high-temperature fabric and woven glass fabric, all sewn together with silica thread. They vary in thickness depending on their location on the vehicle. NASA released a few of these Advanced Flexible Reusable Surface Insulation (AFRSI) blankets, no longer usable and marked scrap, to the Museum in 2006.