YASS Space Program!
Ya’ll, we live on the Space Coast! You know what that means? Space Stuff! And lots of it!
I mean, I haven’t looked at the demographic, and I say this with absolutely zero authority, but we may have the smartest population per capita of any town in the US. I don’t know, I’m just saying, we have a lot of engineers, rocket scientists, biologists, botanists, geologists, lots of other “ists”. They are here, and I am here for it!
Straight up, I’m a huge fan of the Space Program! I mean, look at this…
THAT'S FREAKING INCREDIBLE!
You see, when most people think of NASA they think about this stuff…planets and stars. And they’re not wrong!
But so much of what they do has a direct and positive impact on our lives. Space-age tech has permeated our world! You might be surprised that there is NASA technology closer to you than you ever thought! In fact, it’s right at your fingertips!
11 Things That We Use Everyday That Were Developed by the Space Program
1 | The Computer Mouse
Speaking of fingertips, the mouse was developed back in the early 1960’s when computers were still “thought of as arithmetic machines”. Researchers and developers at NASA were looking for a way to make computers more useful and interactive. I think they succeeded! Little known fact: we could all be using a “light pen” instead, but test subjects preferred the mouse! Source
2 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
NASA didn’t invent MRI technology, but in the 1960’s, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory did develop the advanced digital image processing technique used to enhance images of the moon as a precursor of the Apollo Lunar Landing Program. This development led to the invention of computerized tomography such as MRIs and CT Scans. Source
3 | Cell Phone Cameras
If you take photos with your phone, you have NASA to thank for that! The images and videos we utilize everyday on social media are made possible by the complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor that was invented by a NASA engineer and his team in the 1990’s! They needed low-power, smaller, more lightweight technology to capture images of distant planets and galaxies, and as a result, we get selfies in portrait mode! Source
4 | Wireless Headphones
Picture it: 1961. You are the command pilot of America’s 2nd manned space flight, the Liberty Bell 7 (Mercury-Redstone 4) mission. No biggie, right! After a successful splashdown, the explosive hatch blows prematurely causing water to flood in leaving you with no choice but to abandon all your communication systems in the sinking capsule and hope the helicopter can find you in time!
When NASA lost contact with Lieutenant Colonel Virgil Ivan “Gus” Grissom, they vowed that would never happen again! Enter the development of the wireless systems that would be inserted inside the astronauts’ helmets that would then allow Neil Armstrong’s words to reach us from the moon! And your grandmother’s voice can reach you from Sheboygan! Source
5 | Scratch-Resistant Lenses
I’m wearing them right now! The lenses of my glasses have NASA tech! Here’s the deal…in space there are a lot of particles and dirt moving at pretty intense speeds that can easily damage equipment, especially the astronaut’s visors, so NASA researchers set out to develop a coating that would improve the durability of the plastic visors and other aerospace technologies. Known as DiamondHard Technology, the thin coating is actually a diamond-like carbon that not only makes the surface resistant to scratching, but it reduces friction so water sheds off the surface better! Yet a single rain drop clings for dear life. Source
6 | The Dustbuster
Ok, did NASA invent cordless tools? No. That was Black & Decker in 1961. BUT…NASA contracted Black & Decker to develop a zero-impact wrench that would spin bolts and not the astronauts in zero gravity! They also developed a cordless impact drill for the Apollo Moon Program that could work in low gravity, zero atmosphere conditions. With these developments for the Space Program, Black & Decker created several spinoff technologies including lightweight cordless drills, precision medical instruments, and a miniature vacuum called the Dustbuster! Source
7 | Water Filters
So when you send people into space, there are a few things they’re going to need. One of those things is water! To ensure that water was clean and microbe free, NASA developed a water filtration system that did not have to monitored around the clock by astronauts. About the size of a deck of deck of cards and chlorine-free, the system introduced silver ions into the water supply to kill off bacteria.
NASA’s war on watery microbes has paved the way for safer methods of water purification here on Earth! Source
8 | Memory Foam
In 1966, temper foam was developed to “absorb shock and…offer improved protection and comfort in NASA’s airplane seats.” Over the last 60 years, we have seen its uses spread far and wide from its original purpose. You can find it in mattresses, shoes, Formula 1 race cars, amusement park rides, and prosthetics to name a few! Source
9 | Invisible Braces
These bad boys are made with translucent polycrystalline alumina (TPA) which is three times stronger than steel! And do you want to know something freaking awesome? This material was originally developed to aid in tracking heat-seeking missiles! I don’t care who you are, that’s rad! Source
10 | Insulin Pump
Yep! These amazing life-saving devices are utilizing tech that was developed for the Mars Viking spacecraft! in the 1970’s! When NASA began looking into prolonged space travel and ways to monitor astronaut’s health, they turned to the idea of a surgically implanted device that could not only monitor the individual’s health, but also deliver insulin when needed! (because microgravity does things to our bodies!) Years and many improvements later, we have the modern day pumps that are saving lives every day! Source
11 | Infrared Ear Thermometers
The tech in these little guys was developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to measure the temperature of stars and planets. in the 1990’s Diatek utilized this technology to create the instant read Infrared Ear Thermometer that we parents know and love! Source
Thumbs up Space Program! Thanks for the Awesome Stuff!
These are just a few of the ways that we here on Earth have benefitted from NASA’s Space Program. We didn’t even talk about freeze-dried foods! Do you know of any other innovations we should be thanking NASA for? drop a comment below!
Next time you’re visiting the Space Coast, definitely plan to visit the Kennedy Space Center Visitor’s Complex! They have amazing exhibits, experiences, tours, real rockets, you can touch a moon stone, and have lunch with an astronaut! Their newest building, Gateway, is chocked full of the current and upcoming cutting-edge innovations coming from NASA and their partners, and you can enter the spaceport of the future and choose from four destinations to go on your very own interstellar journey!
Make sure to check out our Top 10 Tips to Pack like a Pro when you’re packing for your next trip and download our FREE Ultimate Packing Checklist! While you’re visiting, you’ll need some great seafood, so head over to The Fat Snook in Cocoa Beach!
