Why go into space when we have so many problems here on Earth?

1. 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

2. Studies have shown that benefits from the space program have a dollar return of about $7 forevery $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

3. Almost anything you do today, you will probably come in contact with a product that is the result of technology first developed by NASA Fetal heart monitor Dialysis machine Insulin pump Pacemaker Cancer therapy Ear thermometer MRI & CAT Scan Thermometer Pill Thermal Protection system Cardiovascular conditioner Click on picture Natural gas Powered car Nerf Gliders Golf clubs Image processing technology Gas infrared camera Joystick Ski boots Bicycle helmets Sunglasses Smoke detector Thermal gloves Cordless Products Temper foam Space Pen Water purifier Star Trek influence

4. The hand-held optical sensorthermometer 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

5. 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

6. Insulin pumps were based on technology used on the Mars Viking spacecraft Programmable heartpacemakers were first developed in the 1970’s using NASA satellite electrical systems Insulin Pump by Roche Diagnostics Heart Pacemaker

7. 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 diode probe used for photodynamic cancer therapy

8. A cardiovascularconditioner 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

9. Digital signal-processingtechniques 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

10. The CoreTemp IngestibleBody 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

11. Materials from the Space Shuttle thermalprotection 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

12. 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)

13. 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

14. A sensitive gas infraredcamera 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 navigation Firefighter looking for hot spots in a building

15. 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

16. 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

17. The Flexcon concept that allows astronauts to move easier in their bulky spacesuits when working outside the Space Shuttle was used to develop a skiboot 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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 cordlesspower tools and the cordlessvacuum 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. NASA developed Temperfoam 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

24. Science Fiction has also influenced products that we use today Star Trek’s bio-bed MRI machine Star Trek’s communicators Cell phone Nanoprobe from Star Trek A viral protein nano-motor Star Trek’s clip- board computer PDA

25. 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