A Thermal Protection System, composed of a network of tiles, gap fillers and insulation blankets, protects the exterior of each orbiter from the searing heat of launch and re-entry, and the cold soak of space. These materials can sustain damage during a flight, and must be inspected, repaired, or sometimes replaced for the next mission.

Repair and final manufacture of the Thermal Protection System materials takes place in the two-story, 44,000-square-foot (4,088-square-meter) Thermal Protection System Facility. It is located across the street from the Orbiter Processing Facility.