NASA Celebrates Private Sector Space Tech Deployments - Spinoff

NASA’s Technological Innovations Reach Beyond the Cosmos

Each year, NASA’s Spinoff magazine is a publication I eagerly anticipate. The agency’s extensive research consistently yields unexpected and beneficial applications for the wider world, a process meticulously documented in this annual report. This year’s edition continues that trend, showcasing how NASA technology is integrated into diverse fields, ranging from outdoor equipment to large-scale industrial processes – and, notably, even further space exploration.

A Wealth of Technologies for Everyday Life

The current issue highlights numerous technologies that have transitioned into common usage across various sectors. You can explore these advancements in detail here. (Allow ample time, as the publication spans approximately 60 pages.)

I recently spoke with Daniel Lockney, who leads NASA’s Tech Transfer Program, responsible for facilitating the adoption of its technologies and research by terrestrial businesses.

“The typical process involves NASA developing an innovation, reporting it to my office, and then our team assesses its functionality and identifies potential external applications,” Lockney clarified. “We strive to make as much technology freely available as possible. Our mandate, as outlined in the 1958 NASA Act, is to disseminate our findings – there’s no directive to generate revenue.”

This approach results in affordable or no-cost licensing of innovative technologies, such as highly efficient and durable water filtration systems, specialized mechanical components, and other technologies initially developed for space or launch requirements, but now finding secondary applications on Earth.

Spotlight on Recent Innovations

Lockney emphasized a couple of recent developments that he found particularly noteworthy.

“A collaboration with General Motors led to the creation of the Robo-Glove, designed to assist astronauts with repetitive tasks and enhance grip strength during spacewalks,” he explained. “Prolonged gripping of tools in space can be fatiguing, so we engineered this glove to provide support. It is now being implemented in manufacturing facilities globally.”

Image Credits: Bioservo Technologies

Bioservo, a Swiss company, has licensed the NASA patents for the Robo-Glove and has been refining the concept for several years. Their latest Ironhand device, released last summer, is primarily used by workers recovering from hand injuries, enabling them to return to their jobs more quickly and with reduced reliance on pain medication.

Precision Agriculture: A Pioneering Effort

Beyond individual company licenses, Lockney pointed out NASA’s pioneering role in the field of precision agriculture within controlled environments.

“NASA conducts extensive research to ensure the health of crews during extended space missions. A crucial aspect is growing food in space, which also offers psychological benefits to the crew,” he stated. “However, we needed methods to cultivate crops without relying on heavy growing mediums like soil or even hydroponics – water is a precious resource. We also had to optimize lighting while minimizing energy consumption. This led to the development of advanced farming techniques that maximize plant growth in limited spaces, utilizing a nutritive film covering the roots, LEDs providing the optimal light spectrum, and a network of sensors.”

“A similar challenge exists in urban environments, where providing food to a large population without the resource demands of traditional farmland is essential. NASA initiated this research because no other organization had the same imperative – it was a direct outcome of the requirements of spaceflight. Now, several companies are establishing vertical farms in densely populated urban areas, supplying grocery stores with locally grown produce,” he added.

Several such ventures have already been documented, and while still in their early stages, there is a clear demand from both consumers and investors for efficient, locally sourced food production.

Applications in Leisure and Beyond

NASA’s innovations extend to recreational activities as well. This year’s Spinoff features at least three technologies related to outdoor pursuits like hiking and camping. A thin-film radiant barrier, originally used in spacecraft, is now incorporated into jackets by 13-One and other brands as a lightweight insulation layer. Aerogel research from the 1990s has influenced new gear from Seattle-based Outdoor Research. Furthermore, a material called NanoCeram is utilized in a new portable water filter bottle.

A particularly unexpected application highlighted in this year’s publication is Astrobotic’s Peregrine moon lander. Historically, such endeavors were exclusive to government-backed programs, but with the rapid expansion of the commercial space sector, NASA technology is proving invaluable to private space companies.

It’s important to note that many of these technologies aren’t brand new; some are decades old and are still finding new applications or being adopted by different companies.

“The timeline from initial research and development to commercialization can be quite lengthy,” Lockney explained. “By the time we’ve completed the research, identified a commercial partner, and they’ve begun manufacturing and marketing, a decade or more may have passed.”

However, this extended timeline ensures a continuous stream of fresh innovations, even when the underlying research is several years old. This year’s Spinoff contains numerous additional technologies and companies worth exploring, and the archives are also a valuable resource.