WASHINGTON — NASA’s Spinoff 2011 publication, now available online,
reveals how the space agency’s ingenuity and partnerships have saved
thousands of lives, generated billions of dollars, and created
thousands of American jobs.
The latest edition of Spinoff records 44 journeys of NASA’s most
innovative technologies. It chronicles their origins in NASA missions
and programs and their transfer to the public in the form of
practical commercial products and benefits to society.
“This year’s Spinoff demonstrates once again how through productive
and innovative partnerships, NASA’s aerospace research brings real
returns to the American people in the form of tangible products,
services and new jobs,” NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said. “For
35 years, Spinoff has been the definitive resource for those who want
to learn how space exploration benefits life on Earth.”
NASA spinoffs have proven benefits in health and medicine,
transportation, public safety, consumer goods, energy and the
environment, information technology, and industrial productivity,
stimulating the economy and creating new jobs and businesses.
In Spinoff 2011, readers can discover:
– A new firefighting system, influenced by a NASA-derived rocket
design that extinguishes fires more quickly than traditional systems,
saving lives and property.
– Software employing NASA-invented tools to help commercial
airlines fly shorter routes and help save millions of gallons of fuel
each year, reducing costs to airlines while benefiting the
environment.
– A fitness monitoring technology developed with the help of NASA
expertise that, when fitted in a strap or shirt, can be used to
measure and record vital signs. The technology is now in use to
monitor the health of professional athletes and members of the armed
services.
– An emergency response software tool that can capture, analyze and
combine data into maps, charts and other information essential to
disaster managers responding to events such as wildfires, floods or
Earthquakes. This technology can save millions of dollars in losses
from disasters and, more importantly, can help save lives when
tragedy strikes.
This year’s Spinoff includes a special section to celebrate the
commercial technologies that resulted from NASA’s 30-year Space
Shuttle Program. Also featured are spinoffs that have come from the
construction of the International Space Station and work aboard the
orbiting outpost. An additional section discusses the potential
benefits of NASA’s future technology investments.
“NASA’s Office of the Chief Technologist has more than a thousand
projects underway that will create new knowledge and capabilities,
enabling NASA’s future missions,” NASA Chief Technologist Mason Peck
said. “As these investments mature, we can expect new, exciting
spinoff technologies transferring from NASA to the marketplace,
providing real returns on our investments in innovation.”
Spinoff 2011 includes features about NASA’s aeronautics and space
research; award-winning technologies; diverse partnerships; and
support for science, technology, engineering, and math education. The
publication also provides reference and resource information about
NASA.
Spinoff 2011 is available online at:
An archive of Spinoff features and a searchable database of more than
1,750 NASA-derived technologies featured in past issues of the
publication also are available at the Spinoff site.
To access an interactive feature about how NASA impacts your daily
life, visit the NASA Home and City website at:
For more information about NASA’s Office of the Chief Technologist,
visit: