7 Things We Wouldn’t Have Without The Space Program
When we look at the technology that surrounds us, we rarely know its origin. Sometimes, the invention seems to come from a completely unrelated field of study, which then found a better use than its original intent. This article will take a look at some such technologies which originated for their use in Space related science but were then adopted for our gadgets.
1. Camera phones:
It’s rare to see a mobile phone without a camera(s) these days, and it wouldn’t be possible if not for NASA. In the 1990s, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory invented a light, miniature imaging system that required little energy in order to take scientific quality photographs from space. This technology has become standard in cell phone and computer cameras and is now used in one of every three cell phone cameras. So, next time don’t forget to add picture credits to NASA on your Instagram posts.
2. Comfortable Athletic shoes:
Helmets are one of the most essential parts of a space-suit, and to increase its durability, NASA developed a shock-absorbing rubber molding process. NASA soon realized that this principle can also be applied to shoes, and this technique led to the creation of shock-absorbent soles for athletic shoes. This is now a common practice used industry-wide. So, the next time you want motivation to start jogging, know that you’d be using space technology to keep yourself fit.
3. Water filtration:
Water tastes better when it has no taste, and to provide the astronauts with this luxury, NASA, in the 1970s, developed a filtration system that utilized iodine and cartridge filters to ensure that astronauts had access to safe water which didn’t taste like urine. This technology is now widely used in water filters.
4. Airport X-Ray Scanners:
A company based in the US called American Science & Engineering first started its research to build a compact X-Ray observation instrument. This project was aimed to observe the space in X-Ray through a telescope placed on a satellite. While the company perfected this method, the US government was facing a challenge of the constant hijacking of planes in its airspace. The US government decided to improve the security of its airports by installing X-Ray scanners, and American Science & Engineering came forward to help with their recently developed X-Ray scanners.
5. Wireless Headphones:
In 1961, NASA had an accident in which Astronaut Gus Grissom was stuck in a sinking space capsule. Fortunately, he was saved by the rescue team, but NASA discovered that the rescue would have been easier if Gus could have warned the rescue team earlier, which was not possible after the wired earphones lost connection. NASA later contacted ITT labs for a reliable device, and ITT labs delivered by placing a radio transceiver in the headsets, hence, wireless earphones were born.
6. Computer mice:
The computer used to be just a “computer” before it transformed into an entertainment machine due to it’s easy to use interface. This interface is largely possible due to mice, and without help from NASA, we would have had to wait a little longer to get our hands on them. NASA, in search of a better Human-Computer Interface for its astronaut, funded research that led to the invention of the computer mouse.
7. Air Purifiers:
When NASA started cultivating the idea of long-duration space missions, they were sure that they’d have to learn how to grow produce in space as a dependable food source. Plants, while growing, release a gas called ethylene, which speeds up its decay. On Earth, air circulation makes sure that the gas doesn’t build-up, but in a sealed environment like the Space Station, this poses a serious problem. To overcome this, NASA funded research to develop an air purifier that removes ethylene from the air. This air purifier proved to be effective on ethylene as well as pathogens and particulates. This technology was then transferred to industries that made purifiers for industrial kitchens and refrigerators, hospitals, hotels, and homes.
