Top 10 Innovations by NASA

Since its establishment in 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has achieved remarkable milestones, from outpacing the Soviet Union in the lunar race to deploying advanced rovers on Mars. Renowned for its exceptional team of scientists and engineers, NASA excels in diverse disciplines such as astronomy, physics, chemistry, biology, and materials science.

To address the unique challenges of space exploration, NASA has developed groundbreaking technologies. In the 1950s and 1960s, it pioneered the three-axis stabilization system, allowing satellites to precisely align antennas, instruments, and solar panels. Today, NASA's innovative solutions are so prolific that approximately one in every 1,000 U.S. patents is awarded to individuals involved in NASA projects [source: Rayl].

NASA's ingenuity extends beyond space, with many of its inventions benefiting life on Earth. The agency's Technology Utilization Program actively collaborates with industries to transform space technology into practical innovations for consumers and businesses alike.

While the catalog of innovations is extensive, a select few stand out as favorites, with these 10 leading the pack.

10: Memory Foam

During the early 1960s, Charles Yost, an aeronautical engineer, developed technology to ensure the safe recovery of the Apollo command module and its crew post-landing. This expertise proved invaluable when Yost was later tasked with creating crash-resistant airplane seating for NASA's Ames Research Center. His invention, a unique plastic foam, could withstand immense pressure, deform, and then revert to its original form.

Scientists found that this "slow springback foam" not only enhanced passenger safety but also improved comfort during long flights by evenly distributing body weight.

In 1967, Yost established Dynamic Systems Inc., introducing his invention as "temper foam." Over the years, memory foam has been utilized in numerous ways. During the 1970s and 1980s, the Dallas Cowboys football team incorporated it into players' helmets to minimize impact injuries. Shoe brands have adopted it for cushioned insoles, while hospitals use it in mattress pads and wheelchair seats to alleviate pressure sores for patients.

Memory foam and its variants continue to inspire new applications. A Colorado-based company employs a specialized version to create unsinkable inflatable bumper rafts for theme park water rides. Meanwhile, a Kentucky firm integrates it into horse saddles and uses it to craft prosthetic braces for injured animals [source: NASA Spinoff].

Next, we explore an innovation designed to shield NASA's advanced equipment from environmental challenges, both on Earth and in space.

9: Anti-corrosion Coating

Space exploration demands equipment capable of enduring extreme conditions, from rocket exhaust heat to the frigid vacuum of space. However, one of the most damaging factors is the corrosive impact of saltwater spray and fog, which rusts structures like gantries and launch platforms at NASA's Kennedy Space Center and other coastal sites. In the 1970s, researchers at Goddard Space Flight Center developed a protective coating made of zinc dust and potassium silicate to combat this costly corrosion.

In the early 1980s, Inorganic Coatings Inc. developed a non-toxic, water-based coating called IC 531 zinc silicate, inspired by NASA's innovation. This coating adheres strongly to steel, drying in just 30 minutes to form a durable, ceramic-like surface. It has been widely used on bridge girders, pipelines, oil rigs, dock equipment, buoys, truck frames, and even the exteriors of U.S. Army tanks.

One of the coating's most notable uses occurred in the mid-1980s when 225 gallons (852 liters) were applied inside the Statue of Liberty to prevent further decay of the historic monument [source: Space Foundation].

Next, we'll explore a technology that allows us to observe both the vastness of the cosmos and the intricate details of human arteries.

8: ArterioVision

Since the 1960s, researchers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) have refined video imaging software, enabling astronomers to transform space probe data into detailed, high-resolution visuals of planets and celestial bodies.

Recently, medical experts have adapted NASA's software advancements to detect atherosclerosis, a condition where fatty deposits clog arteries, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

The California Institute of Technology, overseeing JPL for NASA, licensed this technology to Medical Technologies International Inc. (MTI). Robert Seltzer, MTI's chief engineer and a former JPL researcher, developed ArterioVision. This software works with ultrasound devices to noninvasively examine the carotid artery, which supplies blood to the brain.

When paired with ultrasound, ArterioVision identifies early signs of cardiovascular disease that traditional tests might miss. This allows patients to address the condition through diet and lifestyle changes before needing medication or surgery [source: NASA]. Available in all 50 U.S. states, ArterioVision testing is transforming preventive care [source: Lockney]. Next, we explore a NASA innovation that has enhanced the lives of the hearing-impaired globally.

7: Cochlear Implants

In the late 1970s, Adam Kissiah Jr., a hearing-impaired engineer at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, recognized the limitations of traditional analog hearing aids. These devices only amplified sound without improving its clarity. Leveraging NASA's expertise in electronic sensing, telemetry, and sound vibration technology, Kissiah devised a groundbreaking solution: a digital implant that stimulates auditory nerves, allowing signals to be sent directly to the brain.

Kissiah collaborated with BioStim, a private firm, to develop the implant. His patented ideas were further refined by other manufacturers [source: Space Foundation]. To date, over 219,000 patients have received cochlear implants, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration [source: NIDCD]. These devices have enabled individuals born deaf to hear for the first time and restored hearing for those with auditory nerve damage caused by injury or illness [source: Space Foundation].

This space-derived technology has profoundly impacted lives, such as that of Mike Scheerer, a Peoria, Ill., resident in his late 50s. After receiving a cochlear implant in 2009, he experienced the joy of hearing birdsong for the first time. "I would say that's the most beautiful thing I ever heard," he shared with the Peoria Star. "I had never heard birds before, that I can remember" [source: Davis].

NASA's innovations extend beyond enhancing hearing. Discover how the agency has also safeguarded human vision in the next section.

6: Scratch-resistant Eyeglass Lenses

It might sound surprising, but eyeglasses were once made entirely of glass. These lenses were not only heavy but also prone to shattering upon impact, posing a risk to the wearer's eyes. In 1972, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration mandated that all sunglasses and prescription lenses be shatterproof, prompting manufacturers to switch to more durable plastic.

While plastic lenses offered superior optics and UV protection, they were highly susceptible to scratches. Enter NASA scientist Ted Wydeven from the Ames Research Center. While developing a water purification system for spacecraft, Wydeven applied a thin plastic film to a filter using an organic vapor discharge. This coating proved exceptionally durable, leading NASA to adapt it for space helmet visors and aerospace gear. In 1983, Foster-Grant, a sunglasses manufacturer, commercialized the scratch-resistant coating. Today, most eyeglasses in the U.S. feature plastic lenses that last 10 times longer than their predecessors [source: Space Foundation].

Can you identify which NASA invention holds the record for the most licensed technology from the agency as of 2010? Keep reading to find out if your guess is correct.

5: Remediating the Environment: Emulsified Zero-valent Iron

Following a NASA shuttle launch, the launch site and surrounding areas are often contaminated with residual fuel and chemical waste.

One persistent pollutant, trichloroethylene (commonly known as "trike"), degrades slowly in the environment and poses serious health risks, including damage to the nervous system and developmental issues [source: EPA].

The problem is exacerbated by the fact that environmental cleanup was not a priority during the peak of NASA's shuttle program before the mid-1970s [source: Waymer]. Trike waste was often buried, with the mistaken belief that it would evaporate over time—a belief that proved incorrect.

NASA eventually recognized the issue and developed a groundbreaking method to address the waste. Instead of physically extracting it, scientists Jacqueline Quinn and Kathleen Brooks Loftin created a solution that safely breaks down trike into harmless byproducts, leaving no environmental damage. Their innovation earned them NASA's commercial and government invention of the year awards in 2005.

The dense solution, known as emulsified zero-valent iron, is injected into groundwater to neutralize hazardous chemicals threatening the environment. This technology quickly gained traction in commercial markets, with chemical, manufacturing, and oil companies adopting it to clean up land contaminated by industrial activities. Its widespread adoption made it NASA's most licensed technology as of 2010 [source: Spinoff Magazine].

What could diabetes and NASA possibly have in common? Discover their surprising connection on the next page.

4: Insulin Pump

What links NASA and diabetes?

NASA has simplified diabetes treatment, thanks to innovations from Mars Viking spacecraft research. As space exploration expanded, monitoring astronauts' health became critical, leading to advancements in tracking vital signs.

These monitoring systems were adapted for managing insulin-dependent diabetes, or Type 1 diabetes. Building on the Goddard Space Flight Center's work, medical professionals developed implantable devices that track blood sugar levels and automatically release insulin as needed [source: NASA]. Today, this technology, known as the insulin pump, has been aiding diabetes management since the late 1980s.

Unlike earlier insulin delivery methods, this device allowed for customizable, pre-programmed insulin rates tailored to individual needs. It also eliminated the necessity for daily insulin injections [source: NASA Spinoff].

Interestingly, the same technology used by NASA to separate shuttles from rockets can also rescue trapped individuals. Continue reading to learn how.

3: Lifeshears

When a NASA space shuttle leaves Earth's atmosphere and enters space, it separates from its rocket boosters. The technology enabling this seamless transition also has life-saving applications on Earth [source: Barrett].

In collaboration with Hi-Shear Technology Corporation of Torrance, NASA developed Lifeshears in 1994. These cutting tools are invaluable in emergency and rescue scenarios [source: Spinoff Magazine]. Their advantages include lower cost, reduced weight, and quieter operation, minimizing stress for both victims and rescuers compared to traditional hydraulic tools. Lifeshears operate using a pyrotechnic charge within their cartridge, a concept similar to the mechanism NASA uses to detach shuttles from booster rockets mid-flight, but on a smaller scale.

Lifeshears have been instrumental in search-and-rescue missions, freeing individuals trapped in car wrecks or collapsed structures. They played a crucial role in rescues after the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centers in 2001.

Next, we explore a small invention with enormous potential.

2: Charge-coupled Device

Inside the Hubble Space Telescope, you'd encounter an array of advanced sensors and wiring. Among these, one component has made a significant impact in the medical field on Earth.

Charge-coupled devices (CCDs) have the unique ability to transform light into digital data. This makes them more efficient at converting photons into digital images compared to other imaging techniques. In 1997, NASA developed a highly sensitive CCD for Hubble, enhancing its ability to capture detailed images of cosmic phenomena.

The LORAD Corporation recognized the potential of this technology and adapted it for breast cancer screening [source: NASA]. Just as Hubble's CCD captures intricate details of the universe, this device enables doctors to conduct more accurate breast cancer diagnostics.

Instead of requiring larger tissue samples, the CCD offers enhanced precision in identifying problematic areas within the body. This allows women to undergo a less invasive and more affordable procedure compared to traditional methods.

The same technology that provided astronauts with safe drinking water in space has also made a significant impact on Earth.

1: Water Filters

Despite working miles above Earth, astronauts still depend on essentials we often overlook. For instance, how does NASA guarantee that the water they drink is free from contaminants?

This challenge led NASA to develop specialized water filters in the 1970s, ensuring astronauts had access to clean water in space [source: Marconi]. Collaborating with Umpqua Research Company in Oregon, NASA designed filter cartridges that utilize iodine to purify water supplies aboard shuttles.

The innovation, known as the Microbial Check Valve, has been widely adopted by municipal water treatment facilities. It has also inspired new methods for filtering water for human use, particularly in regions where groundwater is contaminated by chemicals.

In recent years, NASA has advanced its water purification efforts by developing systems that efficiently recycle human waste, including urine, into safe drinking water for astronauts [source: Beasley]. While a mission to Mars may still seem distant, ensuring a sustainable water supply for the crew is a critical step forward.

For more information on NASA's groundbreaking inventions and additional fascinating resources, explore the next page.