Space exploration has opened new technology for the home, workplace, hospitals, farms and science labs.
For decades many nations have poured money, talent and energy into the space race. While these space programs have opened new frontiers in space, they also have produced technological benefits back on Earth. These benefits enhance many sectors of society. NASA, the space program of the United States, has cataloged how its technology makes life a better for everyone.
Technology in the Home
NASA commissioned the technology for smoke detectors.
Within most homes, especially new ones, you'll find technology created by or for the space program. In the 1970s, Honeywell developed a smoke and fire detector for Skylab. That invention is required by law to be installed in all new homes. Black and Decker cordless power tools were first developed for NASA's Apollo program. Black and Decker currently sells about $400 million worth of cordless power tools each year. NASA also was the leader in developing the technology that is used for satellite television. The company that developed an aluminum heat shield for NASA's Apollo program currently makes the technology available as a home insulation system.
Technology for the Scientific Community
Satellite technology and space exploration are inexorably linked.
NASA has been leading the way in researching virtual reality, in no small part so that scientists at home can perform tasks virtually off-planet. Their research combines sound with three-dimensional graphics. They began the research in the mid-1980s and continue to work on it.
NASA's jet propulsion laboratory has contributed greatly to the research and practical application of laser technology. The lab uses lasers for communication and has shared that technology with commercial organizations.
Since the mid-1960s, NASA's space exploration program has contributed to global communication efforts. The program has led the way in satellite technology in such areas as geosynchronous orbit, satellite stabilization, using digital computers, creation of solid state high-power transmitters and the exploration of advanced materials for building satellites.
Technology for the Medical Community
Space exploration technology has contributed to advances in laser heart surgery.
Medical technology has been one of the major beneficiaries of NASA space exploration. Contributions have included laser heart surgery, assistance in the search for cancer cures, body images, prosthetic limbs, infrared thermometers, light-emitting diodes, composite forceps, pill-sized transmitters, chromosome analysis, digital mammography and cameras on chips that can be used during surgeries.
Technology for Agricultural Science
Space technology takes humans off-planet, but it also helps back home on the farm. Many of the technologies needed for spacecraft or to feed astronauts have had applications at farms. Hydroponics are a major technology that has its roots in space exploration.
NASA needed miniature heat pumps to help cool satellites. These pumps are being used for a robotic mother pig that feeds piglets who might otherwise be crushed to death or rejected by a mother sow.
The Landsat satellites, first launched in 1972, contribute to the harvesting of fish and managing of potato crops by transmitting data about changes on the Earth's surface. NASA also worked with university researchers to help develop more accurate spray nozzles--the technique is commonly used for crop dusters.
Technology for Commercial Aircraft
Space exploration technology has made commerical air travel safer.
Not surprisingly, much of the research done for extra-terrestrial travel can be used for commercial air travel. Three important technologies that Earth-bound air travelers benefit from are lightning protection, wind-shear prediction and collision avoidance.
Technology for Athletics
Sports stadiums use moon suit technology to build their roofs.
Next time you head out to the stadium for a game, you can send a silent thank you to NASA, which has contributed to sports technology. Those fiberglass stadium roofs are made of materials originally designed for NASA moon suits.
More recently, the space shuttle's external tank has helped some golfers improve their golf game. The tank contains liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. This combination is used in the center of golf balls. When it sloshes around too much, it makes the ball travel in an unpredictable fashion. Wilson Sporting Goods hired NASA engineers to help them design their new golf ball with a more stable center.
Tags: NASA space, Apollo program, Black Decker, cordless power, cordless power tools, heart surgery, laser heart
