it came from outer space space science spin-offs why go into space when we have so many problems...

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

• It’s almost impossible to find an area or everyday life that has not been improved


• 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


• Almost anything you do today, you will probably come in contact with a product that is the result of technology first developed by NASA

Ear thermometer

Fetal heart monitorDialysis machine

Insulin pumpPacemaker

Cancer therapy

Cardiovascularconditioner

MRI & CAT Scan Thermometer Pill Thermal Protection system

Natural gasPowered car

Image processingtechnology

Gas infraredcamera

Joystick Nerf GlidersGolf clubs

Ski bootsBicycle helmets

Sunglasses Smoke detectorThermal gloves

CordlessProducts

Space Pen Water purifierTemper foam

Star Trek influence

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• 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


• 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


• Insulin pumps were based on technology used on the Mars Viking spacecraft

• Programmable heart pacemakers were first developed in the 1970’s using NASA satellite electrical systems

Insulin Pump by Roche Diagnostics

Heart Pacemaker


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

Light emitting diodeprobe used for

photodynamic cancertherapy


• 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 astronautsand pro football teams


• 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

CAT Scan by Alkomed

MRI Machine


• 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 Pill and Data Recorder

CorTemp IngestibleBody Thermometer Pill

By HQ, Inc.


• 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


• A gas leak detection system was originally developed to monitor the Space Shuttle’s hydrogen propulsion system

• It is now being used by automobile companies to produce a natural gas powered car

2006 Honda Civic GX

Toyota Camry Hybrid

MILA concept car (not commercially available)


• 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


• A sensitive gas infrared camera used by NASA to monitor the blazing plumes from the Space Shuttle’s solid rocket boosters is also capable of scanning for fires

• Firefighters use this hand-held camera to pin-point the hotspots of wildfires that rage out of control

• It can also be used for night vision and navigationFirefighter looking

for hot spots in a building


• 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


• Hasbro Aero Nerf Gliders were developed from NASA’s 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


• 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


• Sunglasses with complete UV protection were developed from research done by NASA’s 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


• 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


• 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 byPanasonic

Cordless vacuumby Black & Decker


• 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


• 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


• 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


• Science Fiction has also influenced products that we use today

Star Trek’s communicators Cell phone

Star Trek’s clip-board computer PDA

Star Trek’s bio-bed

MRI machine

Nanoprobe from Star Trek

A viral protein nano-motor


• 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

it came from outer space space science spin-offs why go into space when we have so many problems...

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