 | Marisa Honomichl is Vice President of Marketing and Development at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson. The Cosmosphere houses one of the largest collections of space artifacts in the world including the Apollo 13 space capsule. The mission of the Cosmosphere is “Honoring the Past and Inspiring the Future of Space Exploration.” This is accomplished through educational programming such as space exploration camps for students in the summer. Feel free to contact the Cosmosphere for more information on their camps and programming at (800)397-0330 or visit www.cosmo.org. |
Science
2009-09-01 14:37:00
Space exploration - what’s in it for us?
Question: Space Exploration- What’s in it for those of us on earth?
Answer: NASA inventors make important contributions to the nation’s space program — and to the American economy. “Spin-offs,” technologies that bring benefits across a broad spectrum of areas, make our lives better. Over 848 patents have emerged from the space center’s inventors over the past 42 years.
Von Braun, Marshall Space Center’s first director and well known for his leadership in developing rockets for space, was the inventor responsible for the first Marshall Center patent — a rocket-propelled missile — on Jan. 10, 1961. NASA inventors make important contributions to the nation’s space program and to the American economy, said Jim McGroary, Marshall’s patent counsel, or legal advisor.
“Engineers and scientists here have established a long history of innovation and creativity,” said McGroary. “And NASA’s patent program supports the Center’s inventors by giving them the recognition they deserve, as well as transferring space technology to the American economy, so everybody benefits,” he added.
Today patented inventions developed from the space centers must demonstrate commercial potential. Inventors are advised to develop their ideas, when possible, with the needs of the market in mind. That’s because in 1962 NASA established the Technology Utilization Program to promote the transfer of aerospace technology to the private sector. As a result, life on Earth has benefited from an outpouring of space technology “spin-offs” into the fields of health, medicine, transportation, public safety, computer technology, industrial products, consumer products, and many more areas.
Some of the better-known inventions developed by the people at NASA include:
VISAR - Helping law enforcement identify criminals and solve crimes is a surprising benefit from a NASA-developed technology known as VISAR. Short for Video Image Stabilization and Registration, this software was created by NASA scientists to study violent explosions. VISAR stabilizes and enhances poor quality video, brightens dark pictures and enlarges small areas to reveal clues about crimes.
Aluminum Alloy - Another NASA patent success story is a high-strength aluminum-silicon alloy. The alloy is three times stronger than conventional cast aluminum alloy at high temperatures, and will enable engine manufacturers to make engines that produce more horsepower with less weight, while emitting fewer pollutants. The alloy holds promise of improving gas mileage in cars and recreational vehicles, as well as boats.
Knee Brace - A team of five Marshall engineers, invented the Selectively Lockable Knee Brace. This prosthetic device is designed to aid recovering stroke and knee injury patients. It attaches to a person’s thigh, with the lower part secured to the foot. It allows knee movement when weight is not on the heel, then locks into position when weight is placed on the heel.
Space exploration calls for a lot of innovation and for almost a half century America has benefitted from the many alternative uses of the materials, discoveries and technology developed for the space program. Some of the most relevant discoveries for Americans could come from these space “spinoffs” although the knowledge we gain about our universe is a great added bonus! For more on space spin-offs visit www.sti.nasa.gov/tto.
