Infrared sensors developed to remotely measure the temperature of distant stars and planets for the Space Shuttle Program led to the development of the hand-held optical sensor thermometer. When it is placed inside the ear canal, the thermometer provides an accurate reading in 2 seconds or less.
Toys for Tots
Already successful with its Nerf® toy products, Hasbro, Inc., wanted to design a toy glider that a child could fly. In benefiting from NASA wind-tunnel and aerodynamic expertise used in the Space Shuttle Program, Hasbro improved the flying distances and loop-to-loop stunts of its toy gliders.
Tracking Vehicles on Earth
Tracking information originally used for space shuttle missions now helps to track vehicles here on the ground. This commercial spinoff allows vehicles to transmit a signal back to a home base. Many cities today use the software to track and reassign emergency and public works vehicles. The technology is also used by vehicle fleet operations, such as taxis, armored cars, and vehicles carrying hazardous cargo.
There are many more practical benefits to space exploration. Advances in space technology have a dramatic effect on Earth technology. Benefits range from new ergonomic solutions for people who do repetitive work to industrial medical X-ray machines. Click here for links to more detailed descriptions of some of the new technologies that have benefited life on Earth.
Click here to take a short tutorial of a large variety of spin-offs.
A workman inspects the results of convergent spray technology used to resurface a bridge on Interstate 65 near Lacon, Alabama. Originally developed as a heat-resistant coating to the space shuttle's solid rocket boosters. This environmentally friendly technology reduces the required worktime from days to hours.
Click here for the 1996,1997,1998, and 1999 on-line Spinoff Magazines from NASA featuring spinoffs from the following disciplines.
Marshall Space Flight Center used technology from astronaut space suits to improve the safety of firefighter attire. This new attire is lightweight, fire-resistant, and heat-protective.
The Technology Transfer Program at NASA helps business take advantage of NASA research to benefit technologies in the home, in hospitals, at the mall, at the airport, in the sports stadium, in museums, on farms, for science, at the firehouse, and for the environment. Click here for descriptions of all of the benefits that NASA has helped bring to your daily life.
The commercial development of the space frontier is one of the greatest opportunities facing our nation. It is the growth of business into space that will continue to bring the benefits of space down to Earth and enrich the everyday lives of people here on Earth.
NASA is encouraging businesses through the Space Product Development (SPD) Program. This program helps to ensure the continued economic growth of the U.S. and to bring the opportunities for new advances, technological understanding, products, and jobs to the public. Click here to read more about the SPD Program.
The NASA Commerical and Technology Network (NCTN) highlights the successful transfer and commercialization of NASA-sponsored research and technology through information dissemination, technical assistance, technology licensing, cooperative research and development (R&D) and other forms of collaboration and partnership. Click here for a variety of NCTN stories that illustrate technology transfer and commercialization methods, and highlight the benefits of NASA technology to U.S. enterprises, U.S. economic growth and competitiveness, and the quality of life.
Astronaut relaxation techniques that use biofeedback have fostered stress-relieving commercial products. Bio-Ball® is a baseball game in which deep muscle relaxation controls events rather than joystick manipulation. Music Magic® is an interactive piano keyboard that responds to different levels of deep muscle relaxation.
Click here for a free NCTM Spinoffs Screen Saver!
Click here for the a bimonthly publication from NASA's Office of Aeronautics and Space Transportation Technology featuring stories on technology transfer and commercialization activities and accomplishments.
IPIX fish-eye spherical cameras seamlessly blend two 180-degree images into one image. 360-degree panoramas can be viewed over the Web and are used by real estate agents and museums.
Click here to visit the Space Technology Hall of Fame at the U.S. Space Foundation. Its purpose is threefold: (1) to honor the innovators who have transformed technology originally developed for space use into commercial products; (2) to increase public awareness of the benefits of space spinoff technology; and (3) to encourage further innovation. You can even nominate a technology for induction into the Space Technology Hall of Fame!
Download Aerospace Technology Spinoffs for a compliation of 10 outstanding NASA spinoffs prepared by the Foundation.
Check out the U.S. Competitive Advantage, a quarterly newsletter of the NASA Regional Technology Transfer Centers, that highlights successful technology transfer and commercialization projects with U.S. industry.
Search the Spinoffs Network Database. This database will help you to find products/services that incorporate NASA technology in such areas as health and medicine, environment, public safety, consumer/home/recreation, transportation, computer technology, and industrial productivity.
Search the NCTM Database. Use the keywords "success story" or "spinoffs" to uncover stories posted on the Web sites of NASA Commercial Technology Network.
Studies of astronauts floating in microgravity have yielded data useful in the design of ergonomic chairs that relieve the body of back and leg pain, as well as muscle fatigue in the workplace.
