Space Front & the Home Front: Technology for our Lives
Troy M. Morris, Director of Operations
6 minute read
“Space is for everybody. It’s not just for a few people in science or math, or for a select group of astronauts.” Christa McAuliffe, American educator and astronaut aboard the ill-fated Challenger. In her time moving from the front of the classroom to the forefront of scientific endeavor, Ms. McAuliffe demonstrated an eager appetite for all that space could offer. Her spirit has been shared by many in the field, offering insight into how space works, sharing awe-inspiring images of the cosmos, and even opening up the engineered innovations of aerospace to the greater public.
Some of these technologies are instantly recognized to their space origin, such as the first-responder-favorite, and aptly named, space blanket. While other developments are falsely tied to space development (looking at you Tang and the infamous “space pencil” - not to be confused with the necessary and successful space pen), the amount of household innovations that owe their existence to space are astounding and worth note. They are a constant reminder of the innovation necessary to succeed in space, and are also evidence on Earth that these developments impart improvements on our terrestrial lives. Some of these might be in your hand, lap, or ear as you read this.
Essential for capturing the famous first words of Neil Armstrong on the moon is the wireless headset. This technology is also featured in a multitude of documentaries from the 1960 Apollo program and has been utilized by airline pilots since the ‘70s to inform passengers of when you can move about the cabin. Innovation on these interesting ear accessories has continued, but the working concept walked when humankind made our mark on the moon. As you marvel for how far the headset has come, think as well for how far the computer has traveled. From massive server rooms to the device you are using now, a stepping-stone along this evolution was the portable computer. Portable computers were first used on shuttle missions in the ‘80s, nicknamed SPOC (Shuttle Portable On-board Computer). Earlier in time, but of equal computing ease, is the lowly computer mouse. To make those early computers more interactive and intuitive, NASA funded the research of these now ubiquitous devices in the early ‘60s.
It’s nearly impossible to imagine the modern working world without at least one of these three technologies, especially in the mobile way many now work. But this first group is merely a fraction of the innovation humanity has due to our activities in space. As this is intended to be enjoyable as well as educational, this next group of technologies is presented in the form of a quiz. Which of these did not originate from space-related research: memory foam, baby formula, infrared thermometers, invisible orthodontic braces, or modern selfies?
While the most informed of readers might argue against the inclusion of the last listed item, the reality is that using any of these technologies is in thanks to the development and research of humanity's endeavors into space. Memory foam, the form-fitting comfort to many weary workers and parents, was created in 1966 by NASA to customize astronaut seats in an effort to reduce the effects of G-force. To the ease of many parents, nutritional baby formula originated from a NASA effort in the ‘80s to create a source of enrichment from algae, able to support humans on long-duration missions. The infrared thermometers in many medicine cabinets, and of higher-than-ever interest due to the prevailing pandemic, are also due to the work of NASA, who in collaboration with Diatek Corporation created the tool that can check a fever from a farther distance.
From a joint effort involving NASA’s Advanced Ceramics Research and Ceradyne, a strong and transparent material of polycrystalline alumina (TPA) was created. Its original intent was for radar domes, yet it now has been used to correct the smiles of millions as invisible orthodontic braces. Lastly, and most surprisingly, is the modern selfie. Though originally aimed to miniaturize cameras for interplanetary missions, by successfully developing complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors, the technology meant to explore the solar system now fits in the corner of your phone. Through this technology, and front-facing placement, the modern selfies could flourish like never before, giving the world such events as the monkey selfie copyright dispute and the multimillion-streamed song “#Selfie” by the Chainsmokers. Selfies still existed prior, as Buzz Aldrin can attest from a 1966 spaceflight, but that is a story for another time.
Buzz Aldrin self-photograph during Gemini 12 EVA (S66-62926)
This file is in the public domain in the United States because it was solely created by NASA. NASA copyright policy states that "NASA material is not protected by copyright unless noted".
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/Buzz_Aldrin_self-photograph_during_Gemini_12_EVA_%28S66-62926%29.jpg/1030px-Buzz_Aldrin_self-photograph_during_Gemini_12_EVA_%28S66-62926%29.jpg
While these technologies make minor improvements to the majority of our lives, there are also major improvements in the lives of those with greater needs. As might be expected, certain human concerns and needs are the same whether discussing humankind first walking upright or humankind eventually walking on other planets. Chief among these is water. With areas of our Earth still lacking sufficient access to clean water, a compact, low-power, and reliable filtration system is needed for many on the ground like it was on the way to the moon. Developed in the 1960s for the Apollo program, these chlorine-free purifiers used silver ions to neutralize bacteria, before the bacteria could neutralize astronauts. As necessary for all humans, yet often self-produced thanks to the pancreas, is insulin. When not produced within, the survival of our fellow humans relies on insulin delivered via the computerized pancreas-replacement of an insulin pump, developed by the efforts of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in their need to monitor orbital vital signs. These vitals are improved with quality air, yet the early innovations for air filtration needed to advance as the demands increased. To aid aero-agriculture, air systems need to remove ethylene, creating the air purifier installed on the ISS in 1995. With rising popularity in the recent year, many spaces are made cleaner since this aerospace innovation, from offices to medical settings.
These medical settings often use aerospace developments, from diagnosis scans to laser eye surgery. The Computed Axial Tomography (CAT) scan was released to the public in 1993, but originated for non-destructive inspection of aerospace structures and components dating back to the Apollo program. Additionally, the incredible process of laser eye surgery sounds like a procedure from science fiction, so it is understandably a development of the most imaginative of science endeavours, pushing human exploration into space. Interestingly, the Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) system has less to do with laser weapons but instead with laser radar, also known as LADAR. The technology originated from a program pursuing autonomous rendezvous and docking and was developed through NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The SBIR program provides government support for advanced technologies by firms that are often too small to tackle aerospace endeavours, allowing great innovations no matter the size of the originating organization. Whether internally developed, formally funded, created through a partnership, or directly supported by SBIR, an investment in space is an investment in the technology that stems from it.
With innovations often reaching far outside the initial scope of the developed technology, the pursuit of new techniques and abilities often advance our imagination as much as our capabilities. As an organization driven to develop solutions to the continuing problem of space debris, KMI seeks to add our own aerospace innovations in addition to benefiting from the innovations of others in order to solve difficult problems. This mentality has drawn new partners, processes, and potential as the mission continues on toward that statement and goal of keeping space clear for all. Humanity reaches that destination of safe orbital environments through mutual collaboration as much as mechanical configurations.
As humanity continues into space, so do the innovations and developments. These benefits are due to continue, whether the mission or technology is launching from the Americas, Asia, or elsewhere. Retired NASA astronaut Ron Garan did in fact launch to the ISS from both America and Asia, a Space Shuttle mission and Soyuz launch respectively, during his career. His experience gives a closing comment that stands true to the innovators, inventors, engineers, artists, and all striving to build a better home here on Earth: “We are limited only by our imagination and our will to act.”
Recommended column to read next: Love, Death, and Terminal Velocity