Fifty-one years ago next month, the U.S. space program launched its first space station, Skylab 1. It would be nearly impossible to tell the tale of the U.S. space program without Skylab 1 and, even further, it would be impossible to tell it thoroughly in this limited space.
However, as we approach that May 14 anniversary, it brings to mind how much of an impact NASA and related agencies have had on everyday life. Technologies that now seem mundane were made possible because of space exploration decades ago. They are often called NASA spinoffs.
Let's dive into six innovations that only exist because visionaries had the foresight to send that space lab into the sky above half a century ago.
Space tech: Water Purification Systems - We do love clean drinking water, right? Thank you, space exploration! To be clear, the initial push for clean drinking water was that space travel demanded it. NASA's research led to compact and efficient water filtration systems.
Today, these technologies are used in portable filters and even disaster relief efforts. When disaster hits, one of the biggest immediate needs is clean water for residents, as filtration efforts often get damaged in storms or other large-scale events. That, alone, illustrates why filtration saves lives.
Space tech: Medical Imaging - You can almost tell that advanced imaging comes from space by its look, right? If you guessed that's where it came from, you were absolutely correct. Advanced imaging techniques used to study astronauts and space phenomena have found applications in medical diagnosis.
Again, it's something that we might take for granted but it was pushed forward because of our presence in space. Innovations like CT scans and ultrasound owe a debt to space research.
Space tech: Temperature Regulation - Feeling comfortable in that cozy office building you're hanging out at? Thank the space people. Spacesuits require maintaining a comfortable temperature for astronauts.
As the space industry researched how to do that within the astronaut gear, it found that these advancements in insulation materials could be used in everything from buildings to sports clothing.
Space tech: Wireless Technologies - Ah, the mother lode. Early space missions relied on lightweight, efficient communication systems. Now, you rely on it to make sure your headphones don't need to be physically connected when you listen to that new Taylor Swift release.
The early space missions have paved the way for modern wireless headphones, Bluetooth, and WiFi.
Space tech: Scratch-Resistant Lenses - This one makes sense when you think about it for a minute. There is so much floating out there that I wouldn't be surprised if that is where the keys I lost in 2012 happened to be.
"Space debris" is a huge problem in space so NASA had to find a way to keep astronauts' visors clear in harsh environments. That led to the development of tougher, more scratch-resistant coatings for eyeglasses and other applications.
Space tech: Satellite Technology - What kind of use cases do we have for satellite technology? Well, I'll turn it on you and ask what doesn't benefit from satellite tech? Communication and navigation by satellite wouldn't be possible without the infrastructure developed for space exploration.
GPS, weather forecasting, and even direct TV rely on this technology. So we'd be still holding those paper maps, uncertain of whether those clouds in the distance would bring weather and unable to check the TV for insight. I don't want to live in that world.
