NASA technology is being shared with startups and companies to “boost the economy, protect the planet, and save lives”
NASA Spinoff 2022: On January 25, NASA announced the release of its annual publication Spinoff. Spinoff is released every year by NASA to highlight all the collaborative projects the space agency took part in. NASA states that these projects involve working with companies, startups and entrepreneurs and giving them the access to its technology in order to “boost the economy, protect the planet, and save lives”.
Highlighting the role NASA has played outside of space exploration, Bill Nelson, NASA administrator said, “As we combat the coronavirus pandemic and promote environmental justice and sustainability, NASA technology is essential to address humanity’s greatest challenges.”
NASA Spinoff 2022: Highlights
NASA Spinoff 2022 features more than 45 companies that are using NASA’s technology to improve manufacturing techniques in industries, improve soil health by eliminating pollution and purifying the air to slow the spread of viruses including Covid-19.
The 85-page book tells stories of how these technologies developed in NASA for the primary purpose of advancing space exploration are finding their place in commercial space to solve major challenges in the world. For instance, one story talks about NASA and General Motors joining hands to build robotic gloves which are now being used for industrial workspaces to increase productivity and create safer environments.
“NASA’s technology portfolio contains many innovations that not only enable exploration but also address challenges and improve life here at home. We’ve captured these examples of successful commercialization of NASA technology and research, not only to share the benefits of the space program with the public but to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs,” said Jim Reuter, associate administrator of NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate.
Other highlights in Spinoff 2022 include NASA’s vertical farms that are helping companies grow fresh vegetables in a sustainable way. It also talks about the NASA developed system for growing plants in space that is now being used to improve indoor air quality and reduce the spread of airborne viruses including Covid-19.
NASA Spinoff 2022 also features a section called Spinoffs of Tomorrow. The section talks about 20 NASA technologies that are ready for commercialization and can have a big impact on the world. Some of them include a biometric identity verification system that unlocks devices using heartbeat, a nanomaterial device that can convert carbon dioxide into fuel and ‘self-healing aluminum’ that repairs cracks and reverses damage in airplanes, tanks, and more. NASA highlighted that all these technologies are available for licensing.