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News
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
Houston, Texas 77058
AC 713 483-5111
Space Technology Spins into Daily Life
Since before Neil Armstrong made his leap for mankind, NASA technology has been spinning back to the American people, returning to the private sector its investment in space.
More than 32,000 products using space technology have found their way into American homes, hospitals, factories and schools. A popular brand of sunglasses uses technology from space helmet visor advances and fabric building materials like that covering the Pontiac Silverdome has spunoff of space suit advances. Even a brand of jogging shoes evolved from knowledge gleaned while designing the moon boots Armstrong used for his famous leap.
NASA's commitment to technology transfer dates back to 1958 when Congress mandated through the Space Act that the country's space agency have "the widest practical and appropriate dissemination of information on new technology."
That dissemination of information is continuing as NASA starts a new decade of exploration. Electrocardiograph sensor technology now is being used in exercise systems. Microminiaturized fluid control systems have been adapted for an implantable insulin delivery system freeing diabetics from daily injections. And intelligent training systems used to prepare NASA flight controllers are being adapted to teach high school students physics and prison inmates how to read. Each year 900 new technology spinoffs from all areas of life are reported to NASA's Technology Utilization Office.
"This technology already exists," said Dean Glenn, Technology Utilization Officer at the Johnson Space Center. "The taxpayers have paid for the development of these technologies. These types of transfers not only help a variety of people, they allow the United States to be competitive in the international marketplace."
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A video regarding technology utilization (CMP 117617) is available from the Johnson Space Center Public Affairs Office at (713) 483-5111.
