Jun 1 2010
From The Space Library
RELEASE: 10-347
NASA SPINOFF 2010 REVEALS BENEFITS OF SPACE TECHNOLOGY IN OUR DAILY LIVES
WASHINGTON -- Curious how a device designed to produce fuel and oxygen on Mars transformed into a source of clean energy right here on Earth? The 2010 edition of NASA's annual Spinoff publication is now available online, highlighting new innovations and notable examples of NASA technology improving everyday life on our home planet. Spinoff provides an in-depth look at how the agency's initiatives in aeronautics and space exploration have resulted in beneficial commercial technologies in the fields of health and medicine, transportation, public safety, consumer goods, environmental protection, computer technology, and industrial productivity. These advancements enhance our quality of life while contributing to the nation's economy through the creation of jobs and the support of businesses, large and small. They also help to inspire younger generations to explore education and careers in science, technology, math, and engineering. "Through NASA's work with its commercial partners, technologies that are helping us explore our universe are now also saving lives, preserving our environment and enhancing our nation's transportation and security, said Bobby Braun, chief technologist at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Since 1976, NASA's Spinoff publication has documented more than 1,700 compelling examples of NASA research and innovation that benefit the public every day. Spinoff 2010 contains dozens of examples highlighting how space technology yields innovations with Earthly benefits, including: Algorithms developed by a NASA researcher that are enabling technology for medical diagnosis and prediction of brain blood flow-related conditions such as stroke, dementia, and traumatic brain injury NASA-proven, drag-reducing wing modifications that have already saved commercial airlines more than 2 billion gallons in jet fuel Inflatable antennas -- developed with NASA funding -- that support essential communication needs in remote areas during military operations, as well as in disaster zones Image sensors, invented by a NASA team, that are now featured in one out of every three cell phone cameras A groundwater remediation compound, created by NASA to treat contaminated launch facilities, now being used to clean up polluted areas around the world Spinoff also profiles NASA's research and development activities, education efforts and partnership successes for the year. This edition celebrates the 10th anniversary of continuous habitation onboard the International Space Station, revealing the many ways that technologies developed for the space station have resulted in public benefits on Earth. The NASA Spinoff 2010 edition is available in PDF format for downloading from the NASA Spinoff website at: http://bit.ly/hHKGTz An archive of Spinoff features and a searchable database of NASA-derived technologies featured in past issues of the publication also are available at the NASA Spinoff site. An interactive Spinoff 2010 DVD, featuring videos and Web links, will be available through the NASA Spinoff Web site later this month. To access an interactive feature about how NASA impacts your daily life, visit the NASA City and Home Web site at: http://www.nasa.gov/city Social media audiences can learn more about spinoff technologies and other NASA partnerships on Twitter and Facebook at: http://www.twitter.com/NASA_Spinoff and http://www.facebook.com/nasainyourlife
-end-
MEDIA ADVISORY: M10-023
ORBITING SPACE SHUTTLE ASTRONAUTS ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM STUDENTS NATIONWIDE
WASHINGTON -- Students in elementary and middle schools nationwide will have their questions about space answered live on Feb. 14 by space shuttle astronauts orbiting 220 miles above Earth. The students, who attend nine NASA Explorer Schools nationwide, submitted their questions to NASA via video. Space shuttle Pilot Terry Virts and Mission Specialist Kathryn Hire will answer the students' questions on NASA TV. The call is targeted for 10:34 p.m. to 10:54 p.m. EST on Sunday, Feb. 14, but could take place five to 15 minutes earlier or later. Viewers should consult the NASA TV schedule to confirm timing. Any questions the astronauts do not answer will be answered later by subject matter experts during an event on NASA's Digital Learning Network. Virts and Hire launched to space Monday, Feb. 8, aboard space shuttle Endeavour from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. During their 13-day mission, Endeavour's crew are conducting three spacewalks and delivering the Tranquility node and a cupola to expand the space station. The NASA Explorer Schools that submitted video questions are: Phenix City Intermediate School in Phenix City, Ala. Edward Harris, Jr. Middle School in Elk Grove, Calif. Sequoia Middle School in Portersville, Calif. Vintage Math, Science and Technology Magnet School in North Hills, Calif. Goldsboro Elementary Magnet School in Sanford, Fla. Stewart Magnet Middle School in Tampa, Fla. Vance Elementary School in Asheville, N.C. Vernon School in Portland, Ore. John B. Cary Elementary School in Richmond, Va. The NASA Explorer Schools project establishes a three-year partnership between NASA and schools in diverse communities to address local challenges in science, technology, and mathematics education. The goal is to bring educators, administrators, students, and families together in sustained involvement with NASA's education programs. The event is part of a series with educational organizations in the U.S. and abroad to improve teaching and learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The in-orbit call is part of Teaching From Space, a NASA project that uses the unique environment of human spaceflight to promote learning opportunities and build partnerships with the kindergarten through 12th grade education community. NASA Television will air video of Virts and Hire during the downlink. For NASA TV downlink, schedule and streaming video information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv
-end-
'
'
'
'
'
'
'
'
