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Publication highlights NASA's efforts to put space technology into everyday
life
by Marshall Space Flight Center
From sunglasses to solar power collection, technologies derived from NASA's
space research continue to change the world around us. The latest examples
are highlighted in the new edition of "Spinoff" -- an annual publication
showing how technology from the space program benefits everyday life.
NASA views its goal to strengthen the nation's prosperity and quality of
life as a top mission. A major component of that mission is realized
through developing technologies to fulfill the needs of the space program,
then helping businesses develop them for commercial use.
"Spinoff 2002" showcases a wide range of technologies and innovations,
originally created to meet the needs of the nation's space program, and
subsequently adapted to make our lives better. Examples include a device
that kills harmful bacteria, ways to boost water and electricity reserves
and plant adaptations that tempt the senses with new flavors and fragrances
to enjoy.
NASA's Marshall Center Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., developed or
supported development of the following products, featured in the 2002
edition of "Spinoff." They include:
* An air filtration system that can kill all types of
harmful bacteria - even anthrax -- and remove allergens from the air with
better than 90 percent efficiency.
* An ultralight solar concentrator that gathers power
from the Sun and efficiently converts it into electrical power. This could
provide a significant source of energy for future space missions.
* A water purification process capable of removing two
troublesome types of contaminants, perchlorate and nitrate, from water and
rendering them harmless.
* Tennis shoes -- for a horse? "Power Pads" cushion a
horse's hooves, protecting against injuries and helping ease discomfort
associated with brittle hooves or arthritis.
* A "space rose" that produces an entirely new scent.
By growing the rose, or other plants in a space environment, scientists saw
changes in properties of the essential oils - where all fragrance and flavor
come from -opening up thousands of new possibilities for better tasting
foods and tantalizing new aromas.
Marshall and the other nine NASA field centers encourage private
industry to develop space technologies for use on Earth. Commercial
companies entering into a joint venture with NASA participate in licensing
agreements and royalties earned on products they help develop.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the NASA Technology Transfer
Program has, since 1962, helped American companies introduce more than 1,200
new or improved products for public use, ranging from cancer treatment and
detection systems to computer software. The 2002 "Spinoff" publication also
traces this four-decade evolution of a program that has brought "the
benefits of space down to Earth."
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