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(Homeland) - You don't have to be an astronaut to enjoy the intriguing things that NASA has invented.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is often known for ambitious projects such as creating ambitious astronomical observation systems or sending humans to the moon and back. However, few know that it is also responsible for everyday products like swimsuits, eye surgery technology, and how you take selfies.
The everyday products listed below are just 15 of over 2,000 consumer products from NASA's space programs. All are based on technology and discoveries directly developed by NASA, in collaboration with NASA, or through NASA sponsorship.
Activated Foam Mattress (Memory foam)
If your mattress, pillow, bean bag, sofa, or anything else contains memory foam, which is capable of returning to its original shape after use, you can thank NASA. This material was developed by aerospace engineer Charles Yost, sponsored by NASA, and initially used to create airplane seats that could better absorb impact for pilots during numerous tests.
Vintage Computer Mouse
The computer mouse was invented at Stanford University in the early 1960s by Doug Englebart, based on a NASA-sponsored study on interactive computer input. This research was conducted by computer science expert Bob Taylor of NASA.
Infrared Thermometer
If you've ever checked your temperature using an infrared thermometer, remember that you wouldn't be able to do that without NASA. The U.S. space agency developed infrared thermometers to measure the temperature of distant space objects, and this technology eventually found its way into homes, becoming an essential part of household thermometers.
High-Performance Swimwear
Most of us don't regularly wear high-performance swimwear, but athletes like Michael Phelps do. Speedo's LZR Racer swimsuit - chosen for elite swimmers - debuted in 2008 and features unique hydrodynamics born out of testing in wind tunnels at NASA's Langley Research Center.
Mobile Phone Camera
The image sensors used in most modern digital cameras have a direct origin from NASA. Eric Fossum, an employee at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, was the first to use CMOS technology in cameras. The initial goal was to create a better, cheaper, and more efficient camera system for space missions, but this technology quickly became widespread worldwide.
Self-Driving Cars
We might see this technology more commonly in the near future thanks to NASA's Quantum Technology and Science Group, with projects starting in the 1980s. Among their inventions is a sensually named device called the “whisper mode optical resonator.” It's a spherical resonator for light waves. Until recently, this technology was only used in theory, but it has now been integrated into LiDAR systems for self-driving cars.
LASIK Surgery
In an effort to determine how the lack of gravity affects eye movement, NASA conducted a series of experiments on the International Space Station in the mid-2000s. The results were not very useful, but the eye-tracking technology developed based on it has been immensely helpful for subsequent experiments, enabling adjustments for LASIK vision correction surgeries.
Scratch-Resistant Lenses
There have been various types of scratch-resistant eyeglasses, but none quite as impressive as the technology on Ray-Ban's Survivor lenses, as it is licensed technology from NASA. NASA pioneered the use of coating sensitive instrument displays with a diamond-like carbon to make them 10 times more scratch-resistant than other methods. It might be a bit overkill for sunglasses, but it's still pretty remarkable.
Non-Radar Control System
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and NASA recently completed the development of an enhanced system to manage ground-based flights. It is called IADS (Integrated Arrival, Departure, and Surface) and is now implemented at the busiest 27 airports in the United States.
Grooved Pavements
Even if you don't notice, the entire world has become less slippery thanks to NASA. Specifically, NASA researchers have demonstrated that cutting thin grooves on concrete runways to create channels for excess water drainage reduces the risk of accidents due to skidding at airports. As a result, hundreds of commercial airports worldwide have implemented safe grooves, even on highways. The safe groove process has also been applied to curves and overpasses, followed by pedestrian walkways, ramps, and three-tiered steps, and even to food processing plants and livestock pens.
This technology has also been proven to restore wet friction performance for worn or smooth surfaces and extend their lifespan from 5 to 10 years, significantly saving maintenance costs.
Emergency Rescue Blanket
Thin emergency rescue blankets packed in first aid kits and often distributed at the end of marathons were developed by NASA in 1964. Its material is created by vaporizing aluminum onto a thin plastic surface and is now used for camping, sunshades, space telescopes, and more. As a shield, it reflects heat back for anyone or anything wrapped in it.
Nike Air Shoes
These athletic shoes embody two innovations from NASA. The shoe's rigid rubber molding process is carried out through the 'blow rubber molding' technology, a pioneering NASA process for helmet production. The shock-absorbing material used in Nike Air comes from NASA engineer Frank Rudy.
Formula Milk
While researching nutritional strategies for future trips to Mars, NASA scientists discovered a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids previously found only in breast milk. This component is now used in most infant formula on the market.
Wireless Vacuum Cleaner
Black and Decker collaborated closely with NASA in the 1960s to produce cordless drills, hammers, and other tools to create products that could operate in low gravity (or zero gravity) environments. Now, you can see this technology in a range of cordless vacuum cleaners on the market.
References lifehacker, NASA
