IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE

Space science spin-offs

Why go into space when we have so many problems here on Earth? Applications on Earth of technology needed for space flight have produced thousands of spin-offs that contribute to improving our economy, productivity, and lifestyle Its almost impossible to find an area or everyday life that has not been improved

IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE

Space science spin-offs

Studies have shown that benefits from the space program have a dollar return of about $7 for every $1 spent on the space program Lives have been made better and have been saved on Earth due to the medical and technological breakthroughs that have come from space research Since 1976 more than 1,300 documented spin-offs have been applied to commercial products

IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE

Space science spin-offs
Almost anything you do today, you will probably come in contact with a product that is the result of technology first developed by NASA
Click on picture
Natural gas Powered car Image processing technology Gas infrared camera Joystick Nerf Gliders Golf clubs Ski boots Bicycle helmets

Fetal heart monitor Dialysis machine Ear thermometer

Insulin pump Pacemaker

Cancer therapy

Cardiovascular conditioner

MRI & CAT Scan Thermometer Pill

Thermal Protection system

Sunglasses

Smoke detector Thermal gloves

Cordless Products

Space Pen

Temper foam Water purifier

Star Trek influence

IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE

Space science spin-offs
The hand-held optical sensor thermometer was developed from infrared sensors developed to remotely measure the temperature of distant stars and planets Instead of using a column of mercury, it detects infrared energy, which we feel as heat When it is placed inside the ear canal the thermometer provides an accurate reading in 2 seconds or less

IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE

Space science spin-offs
Fetal heart monitors were developed from technology originally used to measure airflow over aircraft wings Kidney dialysis machines were developed as a result of a chemical process that NASA developed to remove toxic waste from dialysis fluid

Fetal heart monitor

Kidney dialysis machine

IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE

Space science spin-offs
Insulin pumps were based on technology used on the Mars Viking spacecraft

Insulin Pump by Roche Diagnostics

Programmable heart pacemakers were first developed in the 1970s using NASA satellite electrical systems
Heart Pacemaker

IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE

Space science spin-offs

Light emitting diode probe used for photodynamic cancer therapy

Doctors use lightemitting diodes developed from Space Shuttle experiments in a treatment called photodynamic therapy, a form of chemotherapy, to kill cancerous tumors

IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE

Space science spin-offs
A cardiovascular conditioner developed for astronauts in space led to the development of a physical therapy and athletic development machine used by football teams, sports clinics, and medical rehabilitation centers

The Shuttle-2000-1 used by astronauts and pro football teams

IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE

Space science spin-offs
Digital signal-processing techniques are an indispensable part of Computer Aided Tomography (CAT) scan and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technologies It was originally developed to enhance pictures of the Moon for the Apollo program
MRI Machine

CAT Scan by Alkomed

IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE

Space science spin-offs
The CoreTemp Ingestible Body Thermometer Pill was made by NASA to monitor the core body temperature for astronauts during space flight Once swallowed it will remain in the body for 18-30 hours before passing safely It is also used by football players to monitor heat exhaustion during the hot pre-season training when temperature can exceed 100 and the players are in full pads

CorTemp Ingestible Body Thermometer Pill By HQ, Inc. CorTemp Pill and Data Recorder

IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE

Space science spin-offs
Materials from the Space Shuttle thermal protection system are used by NASCAR to protect race car drivers from the extreme heat generated from the racing car engines and by firefighters Kevlar and Nomex are two products NASA developed to insulate, reflect heat, and make materials fireproof

Thermal insulation products developed by NASA (above) are used to protect race car drivers and firefighters from excessive heating

IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE

Space science spin-offs
A gas leak detection system 2006 Honda Civic GX was originally developed to monitor the Space Shuttles hydrogen propulsion system It is now being used by Toyota Camry Hybrid automobile companies to produce a natural gas powered car
MILA concept car (not commercially available)

IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE

Space science spin-offs
Image-processing technology used to analyze Space Shuttle launch videos may help law enforcement agencies to take a byte out of crime This technology removes image jitter and image zoom in videos It also may be useful for medical imaging, scientific applications, and home video

IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE

Space science spin-offs
A sensitive gas infrared camera used by NASA to monitor the blazing plumes from the Space Shuttles solid rocket boosters is also capable of scanning for fires Firefighters use this handheld camera to pin-point the hotspots of wildfires that rage out of control It can also be used for night vision and navigation

Firefighter looking for hot spots in a building

IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE

Space science spin-offs

A video game controlling joystick was modeled after controls used by astronauts in Shuttle simulators to practice landings and orbital maneuverings Now computer games can be played with all the precision and sensitivity needed for a safe and soft Space Shuttle touchdown

IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE

Space science spin-offs
Hasbro Aero Nerf Gliders were developed from NASAs wind-tunnel and aerodynamic expertise used in the Space Shuttle program to improve the flying distances and loop-to-loop stunts of the toy gliders Properties of metal alloys studied for the space station program have brought about a new line of golf clubs that have shape memory to give golfers new control and feel

IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE

Space science spin-offs
The Flexcon concept that allows astronauts to move easier in their bulky spacesuits when working outside the Space Shuttle was used to develop a ski boot with more movement and better fit The inventor of the Giro bike helmet used NASA technology to develop a lightweight helmet for more speed, improved safety, and vents for cooling

IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE

Space science spin-offs
Sunglasses with complete UV protection were developed from research done by NASAs Jet Propulsion Labs on materials to protect the eyes of welders working on spacecraft They developed lenses that block almost all the wavelengths of radiation that may harm our eyes but still let through all the useful wavelengths that let us see

Sunglasses by Eyes Cream Shades

IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE

Space science spin-offs
Smoke detectors were first used in the Skylab space station back in 1973 to help detect any toxic vapors

Thermal gloves and boots that have heating elements that run on rechargeable batteries were adapted from a spacesuit design for the Apollo astronauts

IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE

Space science spin-offs
Portable, self-contained power tools were originally developed to help Apollo astronauts do repairs in space and to drill for moon samples This technology has lead to development of cordless power tools and the cordless vacuum Cordless tools and appliances are one of the most successful spin-offs of space-based technologies

Power tools by Panasonic

Cordless vacuum by Black & Decker

IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE

Space science spin-offs
The Fisher Space Pen was developed for use in space Most pens depend on gravity to make the ink flow into the ball point In the Space Pen pressurized gas is used to push the ink and uses a special ink that works in very hot and very cold environments This means you can lie in bed in an igloo and write upside down!

The Fisher Space Pen

IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE

Space science spin-offs

Water purifiers were developed from the technology used on the Apollo spacecraft, and is used to kill bacteria, viruses, and algae in community water supply systems It is also used on your faucets at home to filter out lead

IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE

Space science spin-offs
NASA developed Temper foam in 1966 to absorb shock in airplane seats It has been used in football helmets and in cushioned insoles for shoes It is used to protect bedridden patients from bedsores, in motorcycle seats and mattress pads, and has three times the shock absorbing ability of previous types

Temper Foam

IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE

Space science spin-offs
Science Fiction has also influenced products that we use today
Cell phone

Star Treks bio-bed

MRI machine

Star Treks communicators

Star Treks clipboard computer

PDA

Nanoprobe from Star Trek

A viral protein nano-motor

IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE

Space science spin-offs

However some things are not quite there yet It would be fun if we could finish school or work and be home a second or two later Scientist have achieved teleportation but only with beams of light (a human still needs a car or bicycle to get home)
Star Trek transporter