(ORDO NEWS) — It is not necessary to take astronaut training courses and buy an orbit tour to see the extraordinary inventions of NASA. These “space gadgets” are much closer to earthly life than you thought.
NASA technology projects that are now used on Earth.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration not only creates or sponsors space telescopes and orbital planes, but also makes household items accessible to ordinary people. From medical breakthroughs to innovative camera sensors, what once had to be used in space is now part of our everyday lives.
Memory Foam
You probably have a memory foam mattress, pillow, or seat at home. For the material that instantly adapts to your movements, you can thank NASA. The foam was developed by aeronautical engineer Charles Yost, whose work was sponsored by the US Federal Office.
The mechanic planned that the soft material would be used in aviation to create shock-absorbing seats in the cockpits of test pilots. However, today “memory foam” literally descended from heaven to earth.
Classic computer mouse
The world‘s first computer mouse was introduced by American inventor Douglas Engelbart in 1963. The prototype of the modern device was a wooden box with two movable wheels built into the body.
Engelbart’s research into computer input devices at the Stanford Research Institute was funded exclusively by NASA.
Non-contact infrared thermometer
We would still have to measure the temperature only with a mercury thermometer, if not for the NASA project.
The space agency has been working on infrared thermometers capable of measuring the temperature of space objects from a distance. The technology eventually found applications in medicine.
Camera in smartphones
The image sensors built into smartphone digital cameras were designed and developed by NASA. Eric Fossum, a physicist at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, was the first to use CMOS technology in digital camera sensors.
The scientist wanted to create improved and more budgetary cameras for spacecraft, but the licenses for the development were bought by the giants of the market for the production of cameras.
Corrugated asphalt
The world has become less slippery thanks to the developments of NASA. How could you not notice this? NASA’s Langley Research Center conducted a series of tests on corrugated runways back in the 1980s.
Scientists have shown how, by carving thin strips on concrete, you can avoid accidents at airports.
Corrugated asphalt accumulates less water (all the moisture goes into the trenches), which means that planes can make safe landings in bad weather.
The channels improve the grip of aircraft tires, which helps to avoid skidding, uncontrolled exits and accidents in bad weather. Corrugated sidewalk is now used not only at airports. They lay highways, footpaths, construction sites, areas near pools.
—
Online:
Contact us: [email protected]
Our Standards, Terms of Use: Standard Terms And Conditions.