Innovation does not always come from an entirely new invention, but often from spin-offs or technology transfer, using existing technology for another purpose than the original. Space agencies are intensively conducting all kinds of research. The technologies developed for the space industry must meet remarkably high standards, ensuring that they are failure-proof, reliable, and durable, being thoroughly tested. It is customary to see the space economy and its technology affecting the world around us, and we don’t even notice it. It can be more obvious, such as when we use an ATM or pay with a card and get an instantaneous electronic response via satellite. But can be more subtitle, for example, the food safety system adopted by Food and Drug Administration and the Agriculture Department was invented by NASA to test food production, assuring that astronauts wouldn’t get food poisoning.

Space technologies are present in diverse areas, such as health and medicine, public safety, transportation, consumer goods, computer technology and mobile applications, environmental and agricultural resources, industrial productivity, navigation, and communication. We picked 20 examples of the many technology transfer or spin-offs to show how space technology is present in our daily lives.

1 - Digital Television

The broadcasting stations and media management products at the BBC used the software developed to support ESA scientific missions satellite systems to facilitate analog to digital conversion in the UK. Remotely control is especially challenging when things are far away, such as the vast gap between the ground and the spacecraft, making it difficult to control the satellites. The British company, SciSys, developed the software with precise sophistication to operate some ESA missions. A team of consultants at ESOC transferred the technology to monitor and control complex multimillion euros installations on the ground, including converting to digital production techniques.

2- Computer Mouse

Looking for a way to make computers more interactive, in the 60s, NASA researchers came up with the idea that originated in the mouse to make easier data manipulation on a computer screen.

3- Cell Phone Cameras

In the 90s, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) developed a small image sensor to fit on spacecraft using very little power to generate high scientific quality images. The technology was adapted to cell phone cameras.

4 - Wireless Headset

NASA developed this technology to allow astronauts to communicate hands-free and without wires.

5 - Scratch-Resistant Lenses

Lewis Research Center created a technique using diamond-hard coatings for protecting aerospace systems. The company patented and adapted the method resulting in scratch-resistant lenses for glasses.

6 - Invisible Braces

NASA and Ceradyne invented a transparent material, called translucent polycrystalline alumina (TPA), to protect infrared radomes tracking heat-seeking missiles. Later, Ceradyne team up with Unitek Corporation/3M and used the material to create the invisible braces.

7 - CAT Scans

The technology behind CAT scanners and radiography came from JPL's technology to attend space program needs of good digital images.

8 - Athletic Shoes

NASA’s former engineer pitched Nike Air trainers’ idea, using a technology developed for NASA’s suit construction, initially transferred to be used by firefighters and later for commercial use.

9 - Memory Foam

In the 70s, NASA and Ames Research Center developed temper or memory foam for padding concepts for aircraft seats to improve airplane passengers’ and pilots’ crash protection. The material’s high-energy absorption and soft properties provided not only superior protection but also comfort. It has been used in several products pillows, automobiles and motorcycles, sports safety equipment, and many others.

10 - Dust Busters

To collect samples below the lunar surface during the Apollo mission, NASA needed a portable, self-contained, and lightweight device, technology created by Black & Decker and used by the same company to develop the portable cordless vacuum known as Dust Buster.

11 - Water Purification Systems

In the 60s, due to the scarcity of water outside Earth, NASA developed an electrolytic silver iodizer water purifier for the Apollo astronauts, adapted to be used in recreational pools and domestic filters. It inhibits bacteria, removes tastes and odors by purifying and softening the water.

Later, to support astronauts in the International Space Station (ISS) and moon exploration, in collaboration with qualified companies, NASA developed a system that turns wastewater into drinkable water, using a technology that combines chemical adsorption, ion exchange, and ultrafiltration. It is beneficial for people worldwide with affordable, clean water, especially for underdeveloped areas where water can be heavily contaminated.

12 - Baby Formula

The nutritional enrichment ingredients (life'sDHA and lifes'sARA) used in baby formula originated from NASA-sponsored research, which studied how to use algae as a recycling component for long-duration space travel. The products were developed and have been manufactured by Martek Biosciences Corporation since the 90s.

13 - Foil Blankets

NASA's metallic sheets lightweight insulator used to protect astronauts and spacecraft in space is also used on Earth in extreme temperatures.

14 - Home Insulation and Teflon Coated Fiberglass

NASA developed a reflective insulation technology called Radiant Barrier using aluminized polyester to counter extreme space temperatures, now used for home insulation. Another NASA technology that has been used in roofing materials for buildings and stadium isolation is Teflon (invented by Dupont) coated fiberglass, developed to be used in suits for the astronauts.

15 - Adjustable Smoke Detector and Electronic Nose Sniffs

NASA came up with a more modern and adjustable version of the traditional smoke detector, avoiding constant false alarms.

In the 90s, ESA developed an electronic nose to monitor air quality continually inside Mir Space Station. The system functions similarly to the human nose and brain, with an advanced sensor technique and data-processing consisting of 3 elements: a sensor acting as a receptor of odors, a microprocessor for characterizing odors, and a software processing system that interprets odors and takes precise actions. The technology was adapted by EADS Rostock System-Technik (EADS RST) as an early fire-recognition system for industrial applications. In cooperation with the Swedish company Firefly, they developed a fire protection system used in Stockholm’s tunnels and underground railway stations. The electronic nose is less susceptible to environmental conditions than the conventional recognition system that relies on smoke detection, which can be disturbed by high humidity and the presence of fine dust.

16 - Building Resistant

The Statue of Liberty and the Golden Gate Bridge are examples of constructions coated in a protective material against heat, humidity, and salt-laden air, created by NASA to protect its launch pads.

To protect the Apollo mission from heat, Avco Corporation, funded by NASA, developed a shield coated with a material that burns dissipating energy during reentry. Avco also created fire retardant paints and foams for aircraft. These applications led to the first intumescent epoxy material. When exposed to heat, the material expands in volume, dissipating the heat while burning-off, and acting as an insulant barrier. This technology is the base for the steel coating used in high-rise and public constructions, offering up to 4 hours of protection, slowing building collision, and giving more time to escape.

Shock absorber technology used to protect buildings and bridges from earthquakes is also transferred from space, developed to protect spacecraft and launchpad equipment during launches.

17 - Harnessing Solar Energy

The high-performance and low-cost single crystal silicon solar power cells originated from NASA-sponsored research to create a solar power source without adding weight to the spacecraft, allowing it to fly high altitudes unmanned for days while remotely piloted.

18 - Highway Safety and Improved Radial Tires

The radial tired created by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company uses the material developed by the same company for NASA Vikings mission to mars parachute. The material fibrous material is five times stronger than steel, and the proportion of its strength and resistance to its weight is incredible.

Developed at Langley Research Center to prevent aircraft accidents on the wet runways, the safety grooving in concretes is also used on highways, pedestrian applications, animal holding pens, steps, parking lots, and other potentially slippery surfaces. By increasing traction, the technology reduces skidding, decreases stopping distance, and improves the vehicle’s ability on curves, preventing injuries.

19 - Airbag Sensors

Remotely controlled robotic arms are used in the International Space Station (ISS) to move large components and modules in space. The arms have tactile sensors responsive to pressures. It gives feedback on the pressure level to control movement, avoiding collision into the station. This technology, called Kinaeasthic Textiles or Kinotex, was developed by the Canadian Space Agency and transferred by Controls Inc. to touchpads and bed sensors. Sensors GmbH also adapted it to improve passenger safety in cars with occupant sensing for airbags and crash sensing for pedestrian safety.

20 - Guns Detectors

Terahertz-imaging is used in astronomy to research cosmic bodies and Earth observation to monitor our planets’ different properties. It was initially integrated with metal components, which was complicated and costly. However, ESA-supported company StarTiger started using silicon instead, making it easier and cheaper to manufacture and suitable for Earth applications.

As Terahertz waves can propagate through materials such as clouds, smoke, clothing, paper, and sometimes walls, ThruVision used it to develop a remote screening for concealed objects, T500, which consists of a camera and a laptop connected to the camera by an Ethernet connection. It displays images of hidden stationary or walking objects up to 25 meters away from the camera on the computer at any distance. This technology is used in airports, checkpoints, events’ entrances, and others without violating people’s privacy, as no anatomic detail is shown. It can detect metal, composites, liquids, narcotics, or explosives.

If you want to know more about Spin-offs and technology transfer, here are some useful links: NASA 20 Spin-offs infographic, NASA interactive website where you can see more spin-offs we use every day, and ESA’s technology transfer.

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This article was written by Juliane Verissímo - Marketing Department of VisionSpace.

20 Space Tech Transfer or Spin-Offs We Use in Our Daily Lives