So, I've introduced 100% effective active camouflage into my hard sci-fi military story.
You may ask...why the flying fuck wasn't this stuff in book 1, when the MC had body armor and a laser rifle and fuck else?
Well, the answer is simple!
1) It's expensive
2) It's useless in space because 99% of detection isn't visual, it's by HEAT and active camo doesn't do a damn thing for heat
3) The ability to produce and move it into space didn't exist at that time.
Sadly, unlike harry potter, there is ONE tiny flaw with active camo: It can't cover up the eyes. I mean, if it did...how would you see?