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Though associated mainly with aerospace innovations, NASA holds a significant influence over daily life as well. Many people do not realize that everything from toys to sunglasses and even horseshoes have benefitted from technologies originally intended for astronauts, shuttle flights, and other elements of space exploration. While some inventions stem directly from NASA and its collaborations, others simply involve vast improvements to existing designs. The following list contains a combination of technologies that went straight from NASA to consumers as well as ones that went on to streamline articles that were already available.

1. Toy Gliders : Hasbro, parent company of the Nerf® line of soft, safe toys, struggled with the design of their Aero Nerf® gliders. Their overall performance was very poor, and Hasbro could not release a glider that would not operate as advertised. A partnership with NASA aerodynamicists and wind tunnel managers proved a winning fit. Using NASA’s expertise in physics, materials, and how the two interact, the union resulted in improvements in both flying distance as well as stunts. The Super Soaring Glider™ and The Ultra Stunt Glider™ became the two more popular toys that sprung from Hasbro and NASA’s partnership. It certainly helped that many of the scientists tackling the issue themselves enjoyed gliding as a hobby.

2. VINTAGE : An acronym for Viticultural Integration of NASA Technologies for Assessment of the Grapevine Environment, VINTAGE resulted from a cooperation between NASA’s at Ames Research Center, California State University at Monterey Bay, and University of Montana. With technology from the Earth Science Division at NASA, including remote sensing, researchers were able to track the status of every wine grape in a vineyard. Because differences in taste and texture stem from location in the vineyard itself, the myriad programs designed for VINTAGE – including the mapping of leaf areas, crop evapotranspiration, block uniformity, and other horticultural factors – help wine producers track the quality of their crops from vine to vine. Because of this, they are able to create wines that live up to their fullest potential.

3. Lockable Knee Brace : For amputees or individuals with unstable knees, the lockable knee brace comfortably recreates the feeling of walking naturally. Working with orthopedist Gary Horton, NASA’s Marshal Space Flight Center developed a lockable joint with a hinge break. From this cooperation, an orthotic knee which unlocks for the swinging phase of walking, but stabilizes once the heel strikes the ground. This works wonders for those with weakened or even absent quadriceps, allowing them to rehabilitate faster and walk in a more familiar gait. Lighter versions using the same technology help to support patients recovering from knee injuries. Because of NASA and Horton’s painstaking devotion and research, millions of disabled or injured patients have an easier time getting back up on their feet.

4. Lifeshears : Also known through brand-name recognition as Jaws of Life™, lifeshears cut through metal and other debris in order to rescue victims of car accidents, bombings, natural disasters, and other tragedies. The device operates thanks to the exact same power source that NASA technicians use on the shuttles to separate solid rocket boosters. Originally intended for engineering purposes, the lifeshears now save thousands of lives every year – a sterling example of how NASA inventions have essential, practical applications in terrestrial existence.

5. Grooved Runways : Due to the Safety Grooving research program at NASA’s Langley Research Center, highway accidents under adverse weather conditions are down by nearly 85% in some areas. Aircraft tires have been measured to perform between 200% and 300% better when confronted with wet, slick runways. The program devotes itself to discovering ways of preventing hydroplaning, responsible for a number of car and aircraft accidents every year. Researchers discovered a method of creating thin grooves in concrete as a means of maximizing water runoff. Drier pavement means fewer hydroplaning-related accidents, and hundreds of airports and highways across the United States and the world have applied this system of grooves to astounding and relieving results. Beyond the vehicular, the groove method has also been applied to playgrounds, factories, refineries, and even swimming pool decks in order to reduce injuries from slipping.

6. Breast Cancer Screening : Traditional biopsy procedures involve quite a bit of pain and money in addition to leaving behind scars. While mankind has yet to fully eliminate discomfort, expense, and scarring from biopsies, a silicon chip originally intended for the Hubble Space Telescope has rendered the process much easier to deal with on a physical and financial level. Women and men suffering through a breast cancer scare have to deal with enough stress as it is, so being able to alleviate some of the pain and cost helps mentally and emotionally as well as physically.

7. Electrolyte Concentrates : NASA’s Ames Research Center created an electrolyte concentrate for the health and safety of astronauts. As dehydration always stands as a large concern during spaceflights, the formula specifically targets the issue in an efficient manner. Because of this, Wellness Brands, Inc. licensed the concentrate and marketed it under the brand name The Right Stuff for use by athletes looking to reduce the risk of dehydration and maximize their performance. Plans are also currently in the works to collaborate on formulas to combat jet lag, heat stroke, altitude sickness, and other conditions that have an effect on travel.

8. Fish Tracking : Avid anglers have both WorldWinds, Inc. and NASA to thank for the sophisticated equipment that helps them track the best spots to find their favored catch. The FishBytes system works in conjunction with Marshall Space Flight Center, utilizing its satellite connections to track and analyze oceanic data. Findings are transmitted via radio subscription and contain detailed information on everything from chlorophyll levels to surface temperature to determine the best areas to seek out certain schools. Hobbyists are not the only ones to benefit from this advancement, however. Commercial fishermen whose livelihoods hinge on netting generous bounties can use the technology to maximize their efficiency, scouring only the spots which bring in the highest possible yield as opposed to playing by chance or relying heavily on occasionally spurting radar.

9. Diving Suits: On the surface, space travel and diving seem to share little in common. But at their core, they both involve finding ways to allow humans to explore high-pressure, dangerous environments. So it makes perfect sense that space suit technology developed at NASA’s Johnson Space Center for use by astronauts would find a number of applications when it comes to exploring oceanic depths. However, a partnership with Paragon Space Development Corporation resulted in wielding the innovations for more than just protecting deep sea divers. Life support and environmental stability systems and hazardous material suits have all received safety and efficiency boosts thanks to the NASA technologies specifically designed to keep their explorers safe.

10. Aerogels: Lightweight and flexible, NASA utilizes their revolutionary aerogels for everything from capturing fine dust particles in space to insulating space shuttles. On the ground, Aspen Aerogels – in cooperation with NASA – found a number of practical ways to incorporate the compound into the needs of everyday life. They created three different aerogels, each with dozens of different possible uses. Cryogel, which specifically insulates against radical cold, has been infused into everything from buildings to clothing. Spaceloft acts as a lighter, more malleable form of insulation for homes, factories, and commercial properties. And Pyrogel works best when offering protection from extreme heat and high pressure environments.

11. Atomic Oxygen: This corrosive gas shows promise in the medical field as a decontaminate and cell adhesion method, but its most practical terrestrial application comes in the field of art restoration. Because atomic oxygen only affects hydrogen, carbon, and hydrocarbon polymers on the surface, it finds its niche repairing ink, oil paint, watercolor, and acrylic paint-based works. Fire damage and other carbon-based issues especially disappear with this treatment, allowing the true colors of the art to shine through. Atomic oxygen has also been instrumental in determining forgeries as well.

12. Zeno : Sited by multiple beauty and technology magazines alike as a valuable asset in the fight against acne, the Zeno – developed by Tyrell, Inc. – utilizes heating elements originally engineered at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. It works by delivering a highly controlled dose of heat to the infected areas, killing more than 90% of the bacteria that causes acne. The Zeno works best when applied to mild to moderate inflammations.

13. Water Processor Assembly/Urine Processor Assembly : Engineers at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center look to the future and find ways of creating viable fresh water sources from urine, respiration, and sweat. While this may sound exceedingly unappetizing, the intent sits with helping colonists on the Moon and Mars survive in spite of limited resources. Meanwhile, in the present, Water Security Corporation has gained the commercial patents for this technology. It utilizes a system of ultra-filtration, ion exchange, and chemical absorption to create safe water for those living in remote pockets of the world. In addition, this process helps provide this most basic of necessities for citizens of regions with heavily contaminated water sources as well.

14. De-Icing Solution : Even in the summer, icing on airplane wings always stands as a serious concern for all involved in their construction and eventual use. A de-icing fluid developed by NASA brings the technology forward, creating a much safer flight for staff and passengers alike. Rather than distributing the solution once ice begins forming, NASA’s formula can be applied to a dry surface to prevent buildup altogether. WorldSource, Inc. bottles this liquid as Ice Free for use on car windshields, which staves off ice from forming at temperatures all the way down to 20°F.

15. Laser Diode-Based Gas Analyzer : Also in the realm of aircraft safety, a laser diode-based gas analyzer developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory began its life as a means of finding the possibility of life on Mars. It can be tuned as if a radio to detect different molecules and gases. Today, scientists use it to measure a wide variety of climate and technical factors by attaching them to weather balloons and aircraft. By using these sensors to research and track aircraft emissions and climate patterns, it is possible to form better pictures of pollution issues and upcoming hazardous weather events. This helps humanity form better methods of environmental protection in addition to keeping homes and families properly sheltered or entirely evacuated from dangerous natural disasters.

16. Waterless Sanitizer : Available in powder, liquid, and water-soluble form, PRO-SAN resulted from a collaboration between NASA and Microcide, Inc. An environmentally-friendly, safe, and perfectly stable disinfectant resulted from the union. The powder and liquid failed to perform in space flights, either due to volume or structure, though the water-soluble packets proved an invaluable asset. Today, Microcide has developed food-grade versions of this product for use in agriculture and at home in order to combat potentially devastating – or simply annoying – outbreaks of bacteria and other microbes.

17. Hydrogen Sensors: Supporters of hybridized vehicles have NASA and Makel Engineering to thank for advancements in environmentally-friendly cars. Originally designed to detect hydrogen leaks under normal and hazardous conditions alike, these censors act as a method of ensuring the safety of hybrid cars for Ford. By detecting hydrogen levels and discovering leaks quickly and efficiently, these cars bridge the gap between traditional vehicles and their eventual gas-less progeny. The censors help ensure progress by informing drivers of available storage, how their fuel gets dispensed, and safety against leaks and other issues, therefore saving them both money and migraines.

18. Lightning Detection Systems : Lightning poses threats to people as well as property, and scientists at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center needed a way to protect their staff and equipment alike from hazardous strikes. The Accurate Location of Lightning Strikes technology resulted from their research, and its ability to detect potential targets attracted the attention of Consumer Lightning Technologies, Inc. From this partnership, Zap Guard emerged. This application of NASA developments to everyday problems helps airports and military bases – whose reliance on wires, cables, and other electronics posts several possible lightning targets – diagnose possible future problems and fix the incidents that do occur.

19. Artificial Muscle Kits : Two artificial muscle kits resulted from the collaboration between NASA and Environmental Robots, Inc. One flexes, bends, and deforms while also containing sensing and actuation abilities; the other mimics mammalian muscle masses with its fibrous structure and contraction capabilities. Both of these open up the floodgates for the possibility of improved prosthetics and full-on muscle replacements as well as robotics intending to emulate human locomotion.

20. Outboard Motors : Fishing and boating enthusiasts have NASA and Bombardier Motor Corporation of America for improved technology on outboard motors. Aluminum alloy initially created for the space shuttle and other equipment goes into creating strong, durable, and cost-effective pistons. Motors utilizing these pistons do not require oil changes, winterization, or regular tune-ups, and do not need any scheduled maintenance with normal recreational use any more than once every three years.

21. Contact Lenses : NASA, in conjunction with Paragon Vision Sciences, Inc., has developed hyperpurified delivery system – or HDS – technology as a means of learning more about polymer formation and testing how contact lenses operate in microgravity. HDS contacts do not contain water, resist deposits, and run a lower risk of harboring bacteria. Their rigidity renders them easier to handle and capable of keeping their shape longer than soft lenses and possess a structure that maximizes their oxygen efficiency. Paragon has furthered HDS technology by developing a contact lens that helps to reshape corneas without surgery while users sleep.

22. Smoke Mask : A smoke mask developed by NASA and Smoke Mask, Inc. has completely revolutionized respiratory protection in the event of a fire, chemical spill, or other hazardous accident. The apparatus supplies clean, breathable air for 20 minutes and has been used in homes, labs, schools, and professional firefighting and rescue missions. In addition to offering protection from potentially lethal inhalation, the mask also converts carbon monoxide to non-toxic carbon dioxide and oxidizes formaldehyde fumes, water, and carbon dioxide.

23. Temper Foam : Originally developed by NASA scientists at Ames Research Center, temper foam began its life as a means of reducing the effects of G-forces on astronauts during their launches. Today, temper foam enjoys several applications to help provide comfort for everyday aches and pains. Modellista Footwear incorporates it into their myriad shoe designs, which expand and contract to the everyday swelling of wearer’s feet. Tempur-Pedic, Inc. has also developed mattresses to support the contours of sleepers, offering them comfort and desirable lumbar support. Both products alleviate the normal, small, painful annoyances of day-to-day existence, making life a little bit easier and a little bit more enjoyable.

24. Sunglasses : Available in both sunglass and regular eyeglass form, Silhouette Optical Ltd. has appropriated NASA technology to provide the most comfortable ocular protection possible. Their titanium alloy frames are allergy-resistant and slip-free, reducing the presence of facial pressure points. Unfortunately, the sophisticated lenses developed for space flights are not available for civilian use just yet.

25. Magnetic Hoof Protectors : NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and Equine Enhancement Products, Inc. teamed up to create magnetic pads for use on horses’ hooves. More comfortable than the traditional U-shaped shoes, the bases are cut to size are mounted as normal. Attachable magnetic pads then get changed out as they become worn down, and horses are treated to better fitting protection against injury. The reusable pads support the hard and soft parts of the hoof alike, paying especially close attention to the particularly vulnerable areas.

No matter if their technological marvels provide something entirely new to consumers or build upon a pre-existing foundation, NASA provides comfort and convenience far beyond its aerospace focus. People all over the world who are not directly involved with missions still benefit from their findings in everyday life. Whether streamlining, boosting efficiency, or cutting time, money, and pain from a process, humanity would face a difficult time moving forward without NASA technology paving the way.