Lesson 23 — Activity 2: Common Products from Space Travel
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Lesson 23 — Activity 2:
Common Products from
Space Travel
Explore
Since space program is always creating new inventions to further the exploration of space, people are able to convert some of the inventions into things we can use here on Earth in our daily lives. Below are a few of the things that we use today that were invented for the space program.
What do things like boots, bottles, and braces have to do with the space program? They all use technologies or materials that were originally developed for the space program.
TV Satellite Dish
NASA developed ways to correct errors in the signals coming from the spacecraft. This technology is used to reduce noise (that is, messed up picture or sound) in TV signals coming from satellites.
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Medical Imaging
NASA developed ways to process signals from spacecraft to produce clearer images. This technology also makes possible these photo-like images of our insides.
Vision Screening System
This uses techniques developed for processing space pictures to examine eyes of children and find out quickly if they have any vision problems. The child doesn't have to say a word!
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Ear Thermometer
Instead of measuring temperature using a column of mercury (which expands as it heats up), this thermometer has a lens like a camera and detects infrared energy, which we feel as heat. The warmer something is (like your body), the more infrared
energy it puts out. This technology was originally developed to detect the birth of stars.
Firefighter Equipment
Firefighters wear suits made of fire-resistant fabric developed for use in space suits.
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Smoke Detector
Detectors were first used in the Earth orbiting space station called Skylab (launched back in 1973) to help detect any toxic vapors. They are now used in most homes and other buildings to warn people of fire.
Cordless Tools
Portable, self-contained power tools were originally developed to help Apollo astronauts drill for moon samples. This technology has lead to development of such tools as the cordless vacuum cleaner, power drill, shrub trimmers, and grass shears.
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Invisible Braces
These teeth-straightening
braces use brackets that are made of a nearly invisible translucent
(almost see-through) ceramic material. This material is a spinoff of
NASA's advanced ceramic research to develop new, tough materials for
spacecraft and
aircraft.
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Joystick Controllers
Joystick controllers are
used for lots of things now, including computer games and vehicles for
people with disabilities. These devices evolved from research to develop
a controller for the Apollo Lunar Rover and from other NASA research
into how
humans actually operate (called "human factors").
Advanced Plastics
Spacecraft and other
electronics need very special, low-cost materials as the base for
printed circuits (like those inside your computer). Some of these
"liquid crystal polymers" have turned out to be very good, low-cost
materials for making containers
for foods and beverages.
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There is even a Space Technology Hall of Fame! Click on the Play button below to watch a video about the Hall of Fame, which presents many of the benefits mankind enjoys as a result of the space program.
There is even a Space Technology Hall of Fame! Click on the Play button below to watch a video about the Hall of Fame, which presents many of the benefits mankind enjoys as a result of the space program.