NASA has used aerogel in several space exploration missions over the last two decades. Aerogel has been used as a hypervelocity particle capture medium (Stardust) and as thermal insulation for the Mars Pathfinder, Mars Exploration Rovers, and Mars Science Lander. Future applications of aerogel are also discussed and include the proposed use of aerogel as a sample collection medium to return upper atmosphere particles from Mars to earth and as thermal insulation in thermal-to-electric generators for future space missions and terrestrial waste-heat recovery technology.