Space Technologies for Every Day

One should not underestimate the impact the space technologies have on our everyday life. Some of the appliances that we use in everyday life were originally designed to be used in the space industry. Therefore, the next time you see another rocket launched into space, think of the things that surround you, as many of those may have been regarded as “space technologies.”

Some of the items are fairly simple so that you may doubt its original allocation. A dustbuster is a great example of one. Originally, NASA constructed it for its Apollo space program. They needed a device for collecting Moon rock samples. NASA needed a powerful but energy efficient drill. Afterward, this high-tech battery-powered device became a prototype for constructing home appliances, with dustbuster being one of the most famous ones.

NASA has participated in the development of other sophisticated devices. A computer mouse is one of them. NASA had enormous databases with information and needed computers to make hundreds of calculations. Doug Englebart and Bob Taylor, who are believed to be the forefathers of the computer mouse, developed it for NASA to improve data manipulation, which was not an easy task on those bulky computers in 1960s. The “mouse project” became a success and easily overcame other competitors.

Earthquakes around the world have spurred interest in implementing technologies that would protect people from the devastating consequences of such disasters. Over 550 buildings and bridges in the world have been equipped with shock absorbers. They are used to diminish shockwaves caused by earth tremors. But very few people know how this technology emerged. It has been used at rocket launch sites since 1969. When launched, spacecraft utilized suspenders that assist it in maintaining a vertical position. During the launch, they are moved away at an enormous speed. In order to prevent the collapse or malfunction of suspenders, constructors used shock absorbers to protect the on-site suspension system. Afterward, engineers saw a great potential of using it in civil construction in zones with high levels of seismic activity. If you live in San Francisco or Tokyo, there are high chances that you even work or live in a building equipped with a shock absorbing system.   

There are many other devices, which were originally developed for the space industry. Now you are aware that the most habitual technologies may have been used in the space industry at some point in time.