Space Shuttle Spinoffs |
Every day, in a variety of ways, American lives are touched by space technology. Since 1976, over 1,500 documented NASA technologies have benefited U.S. industry, improved the quality of life, and created jobs. The Space Shuttle Program alone has generated more than 100 technology spinoffs. Some of the shuttle's contributions are: |
Artificial
Heart - The technology used in space shuttle fuel pumps led to
the development of a miniaturized ventricular assist pump by NASA
and renowned heart surgeon Dr. Michael DeBakey. The tiny pump --
2-inches long, 1-inch in diameter and weighing less than four ounces
-- is currently undergoing European clinical trials where it has
been successfully implanted into more than 20 people. |
Automotive Insulation-
Materials from the space shuttle thermal protection system are used
on NASCAR racing cars to protect drivers from the extreme heat generated
by the engines. |
Balance Evaluation Systems -
Devices built to measure the equilibrium of space shuttle astronauts
when they return from space are widely used by major medical centers
to diagnose and treat patients suffering head injury, stroke, chronic
dizziness and central nervous system disorders. |
Bioreactor - Developed
for space shuttle medical research, this rotating cell culture apparatus
simulates some aspects of the space environment, or microgravity, on
the ground. Tissue samples grown in the bioreactor are being used to
design therapeutic drugs and antibodies. Some scientists believe the
bioreactor will routinely produce human tissue for research and transplantation. |
Diagnostic Instrument -
NASA technology was used to create a compact laboratory instrument
for hospitals and doctor offices that more quickly analyzes blood,
accomplishing in 30 seconds what once took 20 minutes. |
Gas Detector - A
gas leak detection system, originally developed to monitor the shuttle's
hydrogen propulsion system, is being used by the Ford Motor Company
in the production of a natural gas-powered car. |
Infrared Camera -
A sensitive infrared hand-held camera that observes the blazing plumes
from the Shuttle also is capable of scanning for fires. During the
brush fires that ravaged Malibu, CA in 1996, the camera was used to
point out hot spots for firefighters. |
Infrared Thermometer -
Infrared sensors developed to remotely measure the temperature of distant
stars and planets, led to the development of the hand-held optical
sensor thermometer. Placed inside the ear canal, the thermometer provides
an accurate reading in two seconds or less. |
Jewelry Design -
Jewelers no longer have to worry about inhaling dangerous asbestos
fibers from the blocks they use as soldering bases. space shuttle heat
shield tiles offer jewelers a safer soldering base with temperature
resistance far beyond the 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit generated by the
jeweler's torch. |
Land Mine Removal Device -
The same rocket fuel that helps launch the space shuttle is now being
used to save lives— by destroying land mines. A flare device, using
leftover fuel donated by NASA, is placed next to the uncovered land
mine and is ignited from a safe distance using a battery-triggered
electric match. The explosive burns away, disabling the mine and rendering
it harmless. |
Lifesaving Light -
Special lighting technology developed for plant growth experiments
on space shuttle missions is being studied to treat brain tumors in
children. Doctors at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee
are working with light emitting diodes in a treatment called photodynamic
therapy, a form of chemotherapy, to kill cancerous tumors. |
Prosthesis Material -
Responding to a request from the orthopedic appliance industry, NASA
recommended that the foam insulation used to protect the shuttle's
external tank replace the heavy, fragile plaster used to produce master
molds for prosthetics. The new material is light, virtually indestructible
and easy to ship and store. |
Rescue Tool - Rescue
squads have a new extrication tool to help remove accident victims
from wrecked vehicles. The hand-held device requires no auxiliary power
systems or cumbersome hoses and is 70 percent cheaper than previous
rescue equipment. The cutter uses a miniature version of the explosive
charges that separate devices on the shuttle. |
Vehicle Tracking System - Tracking information originally used onboard Space Shuttle missions now helps track vehicles on Earth. This commercial spinoff allows vehicles to transmit a signal back to a home base. Municipalities today use the software to track and reassign emergency and public works vehicles. It also is used by vehicle fleet operations, such as taxis, armored cars and vehicles carrying hazardous cargo. |
Video Stabilization
Software - Image-processing technology used to analyze Space
Shuttle launch video and to study meteorological images also helps
law enforcement agencies improve crime-solving video. The technology
removes defects due to image jitter, image rotation and image zoom
in video sequences. The technology also may be useful for medical
imaging, scientific applications and home video. |