How the Space Program Has Influenced What We Carry
a day ago
- #NASA Spinoffs
- #Technology Transfer
- #Everyday Innovations
- Memory foam, originally developed by NASA's Ames Research Center for crash protection, is now used in everyday items like backpack straps, helmet padding, and mattresses.
- The reflective material in emergency blankets, known as multi-layer insulation (MLI), was invented by NASA to regulate spacecraft temperatures and now also insulates buildings and outdoor gear.
- Scratch-resistant coatings on sunglasses, such as diamond-like carbon (DLC), originated from NASA's research to protect astronaut helmet visors in space.
- Aerogel insulation, developed for NASA's cryogenic rocket fuel systems, has been adapted into lightweight, high-performance insulation for outdoor apparel and footwear.
- The Fisher Space Pen, designed to write in zero gravity and extreme conditions, was perfected with NASA's input and is now used in various demanding environments on Earth.