By
MANY PEOPLE SEE space exploration as a waste of resources. Of course, there is the counterargument that scientific discoveries have intrinsic cultural value, that space-related initiatives often boost international cooperation, or that the space sector has crucial technological and economic importance.
But the most effective argument might simply be to point to the plethora of everyday items that would not exist without space research. NASA Spinoff—a section of the US space agency’s technology transfer program—compiles just about every commercial technology that has originated in US space research. It reveals that no space program has had a greater impact on everyday life than the Apollo lunar missions.
Food safety
To ensure the safety of food for astronauts, NASA from the early 1960s collaborated with the company Pillsbury, perhaps best known for its baking supplies and baked goods. Thus was born the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system for monitoring the entire food-production process and keeping food safe from contamination. This system, initially used on space missions only, was later adopted in the US food industry, and in the 1970s came to Europe.
Isothermal blankets
What looks like tinfoil wrapping some components of the Apollo vehicles were “space blankets”: multilayered reflective insulators made of lightweight mylar, a type of resilient plastic film. This technology was then applied to products back on Earth that required insulating properties, like firefighting equipment, thermal clothing, and isothermal emergency blankets.
Earthquake-resistant technologies
The Saturn V, one of the most powerful rockets ever launched, caused the surrounding ground and buildings to vibrate during liftoff, leading NASA to contract a company to develop technology that would dampen the vibration of the launch pad. Today, that technology is used in many buildings, bridges, and structures around the world to protect them from earthquakes.
Continue reading
Disclaimer
The information contained in South Florida Reporter is for general information purposes only.
The South Florida Reporter assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents of the Service.
In no event shall the South Florida Reporter be liable for any special, direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages or any damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tort, arising out of or in connection with the use of the Service or the contents of the Service. The Company reserves the right to make additions, deletions, or modifications to the contents of the Service at any time without prior notice.
The Company does not warrant that the Service is free of viruses or other harmful components
