I will begin one of my first articles on space exploration by stating that the study of space itself is a driving force behind human progress and the improvement of everyday life. Astronomy is a field that occupies a significant portion of the annual budget in countries that have decided to invest in space exploration. In studying space, where the laws of physics operate somewhat differently than on Earth, engineers are required not only to improve existing solutions but often to invent something entirely new. It frequently happens that an invention originally intended for space purposes later finds applications in everyday life and household use. This article will discuss some of those items. Initially, I planned to search for and compile all the necessary elements, but at some point, I remembered that in one of the books I recently read (Brett King — The Augmented Reality Era), the author had already gathered some examples for me.
Here are just a few results of NASA's investments in technology development over the past 50 years:
- Fiberglass with Teflon Coating (PTFE) — a modern coating material;
- Space Suits and Liquid-Cooled Undergarments — today, these technologies are used in portable medical devices to cool the body during the treatment of burns, multiple sclerosis, spinal injuries, sports injuries, and more;
- Portable Autonomous Breathing Devices for firefighters developed by NASA are now utilized by firefighters around the world;
- Robotic Artificial Manipulators and Muscle Drives designed by NASA are used in next-generation limb prosthetics;
- The design of the fuel pumps for the Space Shuttle’s main engine served as the foundation for an artificial heart pump created by Dr. Michael DeBakey from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, in collaboration with engineer David Soja from the Johnson Space Center.
Among other inventions and technologies based on NASA's developments that we use in everyday life are invisible braces, scratch-resistant lenses, Memory Foam, infrared temperature sensors, smoke detectors, cordless tools, water purification filters, durable radial tires, LEDs (light-emitting diodes), chemical sensors, and algorithms for enhancing and analyzing video images.
In this case, I have provided examples from one specific company—NASA. Yes, it is arguably the coolest space utility company today (sorry, Elon Musk), but there are other countries and companies that have also invented for space what later became useful in everyday life. If you search online, you will surely find such discoveries from the USSR, China, and other countries. So, what else did Brett King not mention from the most popular items? Below is another list of originally space-related items:
- Folding Transport (my first association: the first lunar rover, which was somewhat similar to a golf cart, was designed by engineers to fold up and fit inside a spacecraft, after which it could be quickly unfolded)
- Solar Panels (originally developed for space telescopes and near-Earth spacecraft, they are now widely used on Earth for generating electricity)
- High-Zoom Cameras
- MRI Machines
- Shape-Memory Materials (such as pillows and mattresses)
- WD-40 (any dad will have a can of “WD” in the garage that can clean any rust. Originally, this product was also invented to solve problems in space)
- Navigation Systems
- “Velcro” and “Lightning” Fasteners (these were invented before the first cosmonauts; however, it was the cosmonauts who gave them importance and thought to use them in clothing, as using Velcro in space is much easier than other methods)
- Compact Sensors (before fitness bands and smartwatches became commonplace, cosmonauts had been using similar accessories over 50 years ago to monitor certain human metrics)
Note: Even though I frequently used the term “cosmonaut” and did not once use “astronaut,” it's important to understand that there is no difference between the two. These terms refer to the same thing. I am more accustomed to using the term “cosmonaut,” as in the USSR and post-Soviet countries, this word signifies a person who has traveled to space. The term “astronaut” has been used and continues to be used in the USA, Western Europe, and other countries (derived from the ancient Greek word “aster,” meaning star).
