NASA launches a web tool for the average citizen to learn how the space agency is also making life on Earth easier and better.
Home & City, an interactive web app, showcases all the ways that space exploration affects everyone's lives. These "spin-offs," commercial products and services that came from technology, were developed by NASA or improved by partners of NASA.
"These technologies— developed for the study of space and Earth — are responsible for billions of dollars in both revenue and saved costs, tens of thousands of jobs created, and improved quality of living across the United States and around the world," the website claims.
NASA Contributions To Home And The Community
The app has two parts: one explores the contribution of the agency in making homes a lot more comfortable and secure, while the other finds which technologies have benefited local communities.
To find home appliances that have been derived or improved using a technology initially created to be adopted for space exploration, the user has to click various points or locations on the animated map. At home, NASA lists skin cream, hairstyling tools, water purification, precision coffee maker, enriched baby food, wireless headphones, and even audio equipment.
Clicking on these items would pull up short articles explaining how NASA space research and technology contributed to the creation or improvement of the item. The guitar in the living room, for example, explains how aerospace technology enhanced the sound of acoustic guitars.
For the city, there are several categories, namely sports, air travel, manufacturing, automotive, medical, public safety, groceries, and coastal. Also, a special page for NASA promotes Innovation Now, a 90-second radio series and podcasts, and offer information about space exploration and research.
"Our space technology continues to improve life on Earth," stated Jim Reuter, acting associate administrator of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, in a press release. "NASA Home & City is a place of discovery for people, and especially students, who have ever wondered why space exploration should matter to them."
The web app features 130 spin-off technologies. NASA has been collaborating with commercial companies for over 50 years to bring back space technology to Earth.
NASA In Everyday Lives
The web app coincides with the space agency's 60th founding anniversary. NASA officially began its operations in Oct. 1958.
For its 60th anniversary, NASA plans to host a celebration at the Great Lakes Science Center by the end of the month. The event, which will be open to the public, will feature appearances from astronauts. NASA will also be holding science activities and a special tour of Glenn's main campus on the same day.
