NASA Technology Hiding in Plain Sight: From Space Labs to Everyday Life
By Michele Raphael, Studio Gannett
When you snap a selfie or use your smartphone’s GPS, you may not realize that vital components of these everyday technologies owe their existence to innovations developed at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). A host of modern conveniences, medical devices, and even fashion items trace their origins back to pioneering space research conducted by NASA, demonstrating how space exploration continues to make life on Earth better, safer, and more connected.
Cellphone Cameras: A Vision Born in Space
In the early 1990s, NASA’s JPL embarked on a mission to develop sensor technology capable of enabling smaller, more efficient cameras for spacecraft. This cutting-edge technology, originally designed to withstand the rigors of space, found its way into consumer electronics and revolutionized digital imaging. Today, the very cameras embedded in nearly every smartphone—facilitating the billions of selfies and videos taken daily—reflect the legacy of NASA’s space program.
“Virtually every photo or video you take nowadays is made possible by technology that originated in the space program,” explains Tom Cwik, NASA JPL’s Chief Technologist. Additionally, the pinpoint accuracy of cellphone GPS systems is derived from NASA developments that allow the tracking of satellite orbits with centimeter-level precision. This technology now underpins popular phone location apps globally.
Everyday Products with Space Origins
Beyond cameras and GPS, a surprising variety of products we use regularly have roots at NASA JPL. Innovations initially created for space missions have been adapted for broader commercial use, impacting sectors such as healthcare, consumer goods, and sportswear. Notable examples include:
- Baby formula: Enhanced nutrition technologies.
- Dustbuster: Portable vacuum cleaners influenced by space-grade designs.
- Ear thermometers: Employing infrared sensing refined in space exploration.
- Laptops and memory foam: Leveraging space technology for comfort and portability.
- Nike Air sneakers: Cushioning technology developed in collaboration with NASA.
- Insulin pumps and wireless headsets: Medical devices benefiting from aerospace innovation.
One fascinating space-to-shelf story involves a bacterium discovered at NASA JPL that is used to sanitize Mars-bound spacecraft. This microorganism was later licensed for use in sunscreen formulations, where it enhances sun protection factor (SPF) and boasts anti-aging skin benefits.
Fun cultural legacies such as the Pillsbury’s Space Food Sticks, introduced in 1969 for space agency use, showcase the crossover between space nutrition and consumer markets. Similarly, Tang, the orange-flavored powdered drink mix famous since the 1960s, gained popularity after NASA selected it for space flights because of its compactness and ability to dissolve in zero gravity.
Advancements in Health and Safety
NASA’s impact extends deeply into healthcare fields. Infrared sensors initially developed to monitor Earth and celestial bodies have been miniaturized and adapted for medical use, from handheld ear thermometers for home monitoring to sophisticated imaging devices capable of detecting cancer.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, NASA JPL quickly mobilized to address the ventilator shortage by designing a new ventilator that could be rapidly manufactured without disrupting existing medical supply chains. The resulting VITAL ventilator was designed, tested under hospital-simulated conditions, and received FDA emergency use authorization within just 37 days. Production of this life-saving device was then licensed to companies in the United States and internationally, contributing significantly to critical care resources during a global health crisis.
Innovations for the Future
Looking ahead, NASA JPL continues to harness its expertise to address pressing challenges here on Earth. Infrared technology is being advanced to improve wildfire detection, an increasingly vital tool given the surge of devastating wildfires in recent years. NASA’s infrared imaging can accurately detect emerging hotspots, while accompanying instruments gather data on environmental dryness and other fire-prone conditions.
Coupled with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, these technologies are poised to dramatically enhance wildfire prevention and firefighting strategies. “Companies are coming together now on this, and I think we’ll see the benefits of these technologies in our communities in the coming years,” Cwik forecasts.
Conclusion
From the selfies we take to the healthcare devices safeguarding our health, NASA technology permeates our daily lives in more ways than most of us imagine. The expertise, innovation, and technologies cultivated in NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory not only enable space exploration but also improve life on Earth — making it more connected, secure, and healthier for all.
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