NASA TECHNOLOGY IN EVERYDAY LIFE
By Jan Winston Karlo Lejano and Francis Isaac Peralta
Sept. 4, 2024
Embedded Files
When we imagine NASA's craft, we usually envision rockets blasting off into the stars and astronauts drifting weightless in space. However NASA's impact covers more than just exploring the depths of outer space, you’d be surprised at the wide array of projects and programs the institution is on top of. Throughout its history, the organization has served as a center for creativity and advancement developing innovations that have subtly integrated into our day to day routines. From the water we drink to the air that we breathe, NASAs advancements have significantly improved contemporary living in unexpected ways.
This blog post will delve into three different technologies that were initially created to address the needs of space missions but have now revolutionized life on Earth. These advancements showcase NASA's capacity for innovation—pushing limits while demonstrating how space exploration can bring about enhancements in our everyday routines.
Come along as we delve into how the quest to explore space has resulted in daily conveniences and vital breakthroughs—highlighting the widespread advantages of space exploration research for all individuals alike! Whether you hold an interest in outer space or simply wonder about the genesis of the gadgets you rely upon daily, this voyage promises both enlightenment and motivation.
Water Filtration Systems
Water Filtration Systems
Developed for:
Providing clean drinking water for astronauts in space. Earliest records of this technology were cited during the 1960s. NASAs Manned Space Center (known now as the John Space Center) conducted a program into developing small and lightweight water purifiers for the Apollo spacecraft. A device that would not need to be monitored regularly by astronauts in orbit, thus allowing their time to be allocated towards more important things. The purifier, which was estimated to be just a tad larger than a pack of cigarettes, was chlorine-free and operated by dispensing silver ions into the spacecraft’s water supply in order to kill off bacteria, it was noted that the silver ions did not leave an unpleasant taste to the water. The intentionality behind NASAs program allowed doors to open for safer methods of water purification.
Impact on Society and Way of Living:
The water filtration systems which were initially developed for the purpose of using them in space missions have garnered benefits in enhancing global public health. In space, there is a constant need for supplying drinkable water since there are no available sources of this resource and the environment on the craft is closed. These filtration systems advanced so much that water from multiple
Solar Panels
Solar Panels
Developed for:
Powering spacecraft. Although NASA isn’t credited with the invention of solar technology, their investment towards the development of this field has kept it sustained until it reached its now more economically sound and affordable status. It was a win-win for both NASA (finding a more sustainable source of energy for its spacecraft) and the industry (being funded and developed by NASA). One of the best examples of this is the International Space Station, with its eight 114-foot long solar array of wings, each of which contains around 33,000 solar cells (the devices which use sunlight to produce electricity). This allows it to convert around 14% of the sunlight that hits it into usable energy. While it may not sound like a lot, the amount of energy the sun releases makes that small amount captured by the ISS definitely worth the trouble, as indicated by the next couple of points.
Impact on Society and Way of Living:
Originally intended for spacecraft where energy providing forms cannot ever exist, solar panels are reinventing energy generation on planet Earth. Some of such impacts include:
Harvesting Energy: Solar energy systems or solar panels collect the sun rays which are in abundance and are non pollutant sources of energy. The produced energy is utilized in doing work like lighting instead of burning fossil fuels which in turn cause air pollution and depletion of other non-renewable sources.
Benefits to Society and Environment: The utilization of solar panels helps reduce the impact of climate change further. Such a transition towards the growth of renewable energy sectors helps in fighting against global warming and encourages people to take care of their environment.
Energy Accessibility: Solar systems have made it possible to harness energy from the sun in order to serve different localities even developing and remote regions. Such provision in turn promotes economic development and enhances the lives of people by making reliable power to homes, schools, and businesses available.
Air Purifiers
Air Purifiers
Developed for:
Removing ethylene from the air to solve issues in space farming. Ethylene is a gas released by plants when they grow, it accelerates decay, thus hastening the wilting of flowers and ripening of fruits and vegetables. Due to the nature of the earth’s atmosphere, build up of these fumes is easily stymied, but in the tightly sealed environment of spacecraft, this gas proves to be a threat towards growing crops for food in space. NASA has funded the development of such ethylene scrubbers for the ISS, this in turn has proved that purifying air on Earth from all kinds of pathogens and particulates is a plausible feat.
Impact on Society and Way of Living:
For other uses from these air purifiers initially designed for space missions in order to maintain controlled environment are the following:
Indoor Air Quality: Such devices have found their way in homes, offices and even hospitals in decontaminating the air from dust, lime, allergens, microorganisms. Over time, the use of these devices can alleviate some breathing conditions and even allergic reactions.
Public Health: The integration of these devices, especially in cities with serious pollution, helps individuals to be insulated from unnecessary inhalation of harmful substances and particles. This translates to people having better health and fewer illnesses associated with pollution.
Enhanced Comfort: Cleaner and more comfortable indoor air provided by the air purifiers improves comfort and induces productivity. For instance, in the hospital, these devices help create clean environments that are very critical after surgery to avoid infection of patients.
Page updated
Report abuse