Cosmic Contributions: How Space Exploration Transforms Our Daily Lives
As an advocate for the space exploration, I would like to take you on a journey of how some products which we use in our daily life ended up from space to the shelves! Even though there are thousands of hardware and software which transformed our lives, here’s a brief overview of the top 10 which we can relate to:
Water recycling and purification systems
Every drop counts. In space , every drop of water has to be conserved considering the scarcity. In addition providing astronauts with clean drinking water has been a challenge since the beginning and thus began the need for recycling and purifying water.
Thus the water filter systems which we use in our daily lives were born.
Medical Imaging
Even though medical imaging had its origin in the early 1800s , the algorithms (digital image processing) which were designed to create images of the body's internal organs originated from processes developed for space missions in order to take enhanced images of other celestial bodies.
Sunglasses
Did you know that Originally sunglasses were invented by the Chinese in the 12th century to hide their facial expressions?
However in the 1980s , NASA developed a lens capable of absorbing, filtering, and scattering the dangerous light while not obstructing vision.
Computer Mouse
Yes, the most commonly used mouse is a result of space mission. In the 1960s, the computer mouse was invented jointly with NASA to expand the use case of the computer and make them more easily interactive.
Software applications
Complex software applications designed and developed for spacecrafts now are now used on the earth for a number of applications. Since space-borne software go through a rigorous verification and validation process, the resultant high quality software finds its way in all precision related applications.
Phone Cameras
Selfie time! Its estimated that about one in three cell phone cameras uses technology originally designed for the space program. Astronauts were required to take high-quality digital images of space , which gave way to the development of innovations like CMOS sensors. The electrical signal that results from these sensors gets converted into a picture, which gives us digital photography. This allowed NASA to equip its spacecrafts with small cameras while still getting high-def images out of them.
Memory Foam
Ever slept like a baby on one of those memory foam mattresses? If yes,
credit that decadent experience to NASA once again. Foam technology was initially developed to add cushioning to astronaut seats. It didn't take long to realize it could have numerous consumer uses as well, in everything from shoes to mattresses.
Solar panels
There is no such thing as too much sunshine! In the 1950s , NASA experimented with photovoltaic technology by equipping the “Vanguard I” satellite with a solar panel. However the production costs were still high to be used on Earth. It was only after the first oil crisis in 1973 that renewable energy sources such as solar, gained attention and become more prevalent on earth as an alternative source.
Cordless Tools
For space missions , scientists needed to take some samples of the moon’s surface, the need arose for powerful, efficient and small tools that astronauts would be able to carry easily. Hence NASA worked very closely with Black & Decker to develop cordless tools which eventually found their way back to Earth.
Comfortable running shoes
Run Forrest Run! The space program has resulted in tremendous achievements for mankind, but it never gets enough credit for giving Forrest Gump the tools he needed for running.
The rubber molding process used for astronaut helmets allowed for the creation of shock absorbers in the bottom of the shoe, which went on to be a common feature in athletic sneakers.
Thereby, tracing the footprints of these space technologies into our lives, we have seen these astronomical discoveries have shaped our mundane realities.
Thus as we continue to explore space, we would unearth more wonders of the space tech and bring these discoveries from spacewalks to sidewalks!
References:
https://spinoff.nasa.gov
https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Spin-off_technologies