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Inventions from Space


What do all the things pictured on this page have
in common? They all use technologies or
materials that were originally developed for the
space program.
TV Satellite Dish
NASA developed ways to correct
errors in the signals coming from the
spacecraft. This technology is used to
reduce noise (that is, messed up
picture or sound) in TV signals
coming from satellites.
Medical Imaging
NASA developed ways to process
signals from spacecraft to produce
clearer images. (See more on digital
information and how spacecraft send
images from space.) This technology
also makes possible these photo-like
images of our insides.
Vision Screening System
Uses techniques developed for
processing space pictures to examine
eyes of children and find out quickly
if they have any vision problems. The
child doesn't have to say a word!
Ear Thermometer
Instead of measuring temperature
using a column of mercury (which
expands as it heats up), this
thermometer has a lens like a camera
and detects infrared energy, which we
feel as heat. The warmer something is
(like your body), the more infrared
energy it puts out. This technology
was originally developed to detect the
birth of stars.
Fire Fighter Equipment
Fire fighters wear suits made of fire
resistant fabric developed for use in
space suits.
Smoke Detector
First used in the Earth orbiting space
station called Skylab (launched back
in 1973) to help detect any toxic
vapors. Now used in most homes and
other buildings to warn people of fire.
Sun Tiger Glasses
From research done on materials to
protect the eyes of welders working
on spacecraft, protective lenses were
developed that block almost all the
wavelengths of radiation that might
harm the eyes, while letting through
all the useful wavelengths that let us
see.
Automobile Design Tools
A computer program developed by
NASA to analyze a spacecraft or
airplane design and predict how parts
will perform is now used to help
design automobiles. This kind of
software can save car makers a lot of
money by letting them see how well a
design will work even before they
build a prototype.
Cordless Tools
Portable, self-contained power tools
were originally developed to help
Apollo astronauts drill for moon
samples. This technology has lead to
development of such tools as the
cordless vacuum cleaner, power drill,
shrub trimmers, and grass shears.
Aerodynamic Bicycle Wheel
A special bike wheel uses NASA
research in airfoils (wings) and
design software developed for the
space program. The three spokes on
the wheel act like wings, making the
bicycle very efficient for racing.
Thermal Gloves and Boots
These gloves and boots have heating
elements that run on rechargeable
batteries worn on the inside wrist of
the gloves or embedded in the sole of
the ski boot. This technology was
adapted from a spacesuit design for
the Apollo astronauts.
Space Pens
The Fisher Space Pen was developed
for use in space. Most pens depend
on gravity to make the ink flow into
the ball point. For this space pen, the
ink cartridge contains pressured gas
to push the ink toward the ball point.
That means, you can lie in bed and
write upside down with this pen!
Also, it uses a special ink that works
in very hot and very cold
environments.
Shock Absorbing Helmets
These special football helmets use a
padding of Temper Foam, a shock
absorbing material first developed for
use in aircraft seats. These helmets
have three times the shock absorbing
ability of previous types.
Ski Boots
These ski boots use accordion-like
folds, similar to the design of space
suits, to allow the boot to flex without
distortion, yet still give support and
control for precision skiing.
Failsafe Flashlight
This flashlight uses NASA's concept
of system redundancy, which is
always having a backup for the parts
of the spacecraft with the most
important jobs. This flashlight has an
extra-bright primary bulb and an
independent backup system that has
its own separate lithium battery (also
a NASA developed technology) and
its own bulb.
Invisible Braces
These teeth-straightening braces use
brackets that are made of a nearly
invisible translucent (almost see-
through) ceramic material. This
material is a spinoff of NASA's
advanced ceramic research to develop
new, tough materials for spacecraft
and aircraft.
Edible Toothpaste
This is a special foamless toothpaste
developed for the astronauts to use in
space (where spitting is not a very
good idea!) Although this would be a
great first toothpaste for small
children, it is no longer available.
Joystick Controllers
Joystick controllers are used for lots
of things now, including computer
games and vehicles for people with
disabilities. These devices evolved
from research to develop a controller
for the Apollo Lunar Rover, and from
other NASA research into how
humans actually operate (called
"human factors").
Advanced Plastics
Spacecraft and other electronics need
very special, low-cost materials as the
base for printed circuits (like those
inside your computer). Some of these
"liquid crystal polymers" have turned
out to be very good, low-cost
materials for making containers for
foods and beverages.

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Last Updated: September 08,
2005
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Word puzzles, scrambled pictures, crazy quizzes, and


even a board game. But you'll never be bored on this
page!
Play Photon
Pile-up Weather Word
Collect Cross
enough Get a clue
photons to about Earth
reveal an and space
ultraviolet weather.
universe!
Missions to
Spitzer
Planet Earth!
Concentration
Beat the
Now where
computer by
did you last
launching
see that
three Earth
galaxy?
missions first.
Solve a
Sign Here!
Weather
How fast can
Slyder!
you make
These weather
signs for the
pictures are a
space image
mess! Can you
display?
fix them?
Solve an
Infrared
Trivia!
Slyder!
Play the New
"Slyde" the
and Improved
tiles to their
Space Place
rightful places
Trivia!
to see a hidden
Universe.
Wild Weather
Beat the heat! Adventure!
Race the rising Pilot your
thermometer research blimp
as you through wild
unjumble heat weather
words. around the
world.
How old do I
Earthy Word look?
Games Can you tell
See a living how old
world in a something is
glass bubble! just by
looking at it?
Black Hole
Rescue!
Save the Vec->Touring
words from Buckle up for
the monstrous an adventure!
gravitational
forces.
Play Tails of
Migration Wonder
Concentration Test your
See how comet IQ and
satellites help grab some
save animals. comet dust.
Blast off for a Nanosat
Mars Flingman
Adventure! Launch a
But first, what spacecraft as
will you take if it were a
with you? Frisbee!
Gravitational
Crossword
Spuzzled
Catch a
Solve Earth
Gravitational
Art Spuzzles!
Crossword
Wave, Dude!
Solar System
Switch-a-roo!
Pixel This!
Put clues
How to turn
together to
numbers into
find the
pictures.
planets and
moons.
Earth Watcher The Spinoffs
Crossword Memory
And see 3-D Game
pictures of Test your
Earth from memory on
space! space program
spinoffs.
Fall into a
Black Hole
Unscramble
But make sure
Cloud Pictures
you have
and learn
enough anti-
"CloudSpeak"
gravity tokens
to get out!
Infrared Find the
Matching Comet Words
Game Learn about
Match heat these beautiful
faces with "Stars with
light faces. Tails."
Fly through a Draw a Dot-
Tiny Space to-Dot
Maze Spacecraft
Navigate our The very first
miniature spacecraft
spacecraft. with ion drive!
Solve a
Telescope
Crossword
Learn about
the largest
light
telescopes in
the world.
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Last Updated: April 05, 2010
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See how the world works and what we are doing about
it!
Space Place
Live
Watch Space
Place Live as Storybooks
Kate and Read our
Carlos animated
interview storybooks
NASA
scientists and
engineers!
I See Ice! Emoticonstructor!
Find the Let the
alien, icy Emoticonstructor
places in the “evolve” a face to
solar system
with this match your
special mood!
viewer.
Coloring
Book
Cosmic Colors
Let your
See the Universe
imagination
in Cosmic
soar with our
Colors!
coloring
book!
Yelling
Across the Shrink a Building
Solar System Three Ways
How do we But what happens
talk to to all the squishy
faraway balls it contained?
spacecraft?
Infrared Make the Shot
Photo Album Heard 'Round the
See the World!
world in a Put the cannon
new light. ball into orbit.
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Last Updated: April 05, 2010
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Planets and Stars,


the solar galaxies, and
system black holes
Laws of the
universe
(light, motion, Earth
gravity, and
stuff like that)

Space
Technology
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Last Updated: April 05, 2010
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Cool stuff to know about space, Earth, and technology.


Hello from
A Real
Planet Earth!
Shooting Star!
Will
Is Mira the
Voyagers 1
zippiest star in
and 2 also be
the galaxy?
messengers?
Lucy's Planet Good Ozone,
Hunt Bad Ozone
A girl finds a How can one
way to search gas in the air be
for other both good and
Earths. bad?
Planet X-treme
Uh-oh! Solar
Weather
Indigestion!
Want better
Look out for
weather? Check
bad space
out these
weather!
destinations.
Professor
Starr’s Marshmallows?
Dream Trip Chewy
Or, how one caramel? Nuts?
scientist’s Find out what's
wildest space really inside a
wish comes comet.
true.
Slinky® in
What is a laser?
Space
Why laser light
How can a
is so
toy help with
extraordinary
space travel?
Cool Sun
Hurricanes! Makes Cool
How do these Music?
monster How events on
storms the Sun have
happen? surprising
results on Earth
Family of
Tsunami!
Explorers Robot
How
A 50-foot tall
satellites can
robot with
save lives.
skates!
Ode to
Aerogel
Who is the King
Hear a story
of the Ice
of invention
Dwarfs?
and
discovery.
Land of
Magic See Why Two
Windows Eyes Beat One
Views of the Better get a
universe in mop for this
all kinds of one.
light.
Name the
Trees from
Space
See Inside a
Spacecraft
Closed Box
instruments
See how radar
that can tell a
works.
pine tree
from a maple
tree.
Solve an Extra-
Launch terrestrial
Rocket as Riddle
Planet Spins How is playing
Wind up that darts like
launch pad! looking for
planets?
See Ions in Watch the Race
Action of the Data
Let's put How long does
those little it take to say a
guys to work! picture?
Why collide How do I get to
with a space with no
comet? launch pad?
How can a
satellite hover
Why is the
over one spot
sky blue?
on Earth's
surface?
What
How are space
aviation
engineers way
record did
wilier than
this odd
superheroes?
plane break?
How can you
hit a soccer What batteries
goal on the will last into
Moon, from your old age?
Earth?
What space
mission will What is the
give "secret code" of
Earthlings a the Voyager
"sixth spacecraft?
sense"?
What do you
How good is
get when you
the amazing
cross an
Hubble Space
Earthquake with
Telescope?
a tidal wave?
How can a How far can a
telescope also spacecraft fly in
be a one school
microscope? year?
What
spacecraft
gets the best
"gas
mileage"?
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Last Updated: April 05, 2010
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Don't wait for a rainy day to try one or two of these


crafty, yummy, and downright amazing projects.
Build a Moon
Make a Cloud Habitat
Mobile Help the
These clouds astronauts
move, but do prepare to go
not go away. back to the
Moon!
Gummy Coloring
Greenhouse Book
Gases Let your
Make imagination
pollutants soar with our
from coloring
gumdrops, book!
then gobble
them up!
Make a
GALEX Robot Puzzle
Galaxy Stump
Montage everyone you
Make a know with
colorful work this one!
of galactic art!
A Tortilla
Star Finder
Spacecraft
Make one for
What do
this month
tortillas and
and find your
rocket fuel
favorite
have in
constellation.
common?
Momentum Galactic
Machine Mobile
Build one and Let the beauty
learn about of the galaxies
conservation shine in your
of oomph! room.
"Blame El
Model Saturn Niño"
Decoration Pudding
Turn an old A yummy
CD into dessert that
Saturn's rings. maps the
ocean's heat.
Relief Map
Puzzle
Toy Asteroid
Build your
Nanorover
own world
A tiny rover
with
for a tiny not-
mountains,
quite-planet.
lakes, and
volcanoes.
Asteroid
Topo Map of
Potatoes
Your Own
Asteroids
Mountain
sometimes
So that's what
look like
those squiggly
potatoes, so
lines mean!
let's eat!
Cookies the Pop Rocket
Color of Stars that Works
Why aren't How high can
stars all the you make
same color? yours go?
Make a Super Get a Space
Sound Cone Nose
Hear tiny What smells
sounds you better than
didn't even dog with a big
notice before nose?
Fall into a See Why Two
Black Hole Eyes Beat
But make sure One
you have Better get a
enough anti- mop for this
gravity tokens
one.
to get out!
Test New
Spacecraft
See Inside a
Material
Closed Box
See why you
See how radar
feel under
works.
pressure at
times!
Launch See Ions in
Rocket as Action
Planet Spins Let's put those
Wind up that little guys to
launch pad! work!
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Last Updated: April 05, 2010
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The Space Place invites you to join us through your local


community organizations.
Meet our
Space Place Scouting
Partners
Tortilla
Spacecraft Technology-
Contest inspired Art
Winners
Future
Out of this
Scientists and
World Poetry
Engineers
Recipe for M- Visions of life
m-moon in the New
Cookies Millennium
Goals for the
New
Millennium
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Last Updated: April 05, 2010
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http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/

April 17th, 2010


Mathematics
Education
Month

Welcome to the Space Place!


Come on in and check out our games,
animations, projects, and fun facts
about Earth, space and technology.

Watch Space Be a contestant Storybooks


Place Live and on Read one of our fun
learn all about The Space Place storybooks.
NASA scientists Quiz Show.
and engineers.

Get our latest wall


calendar.

Collect Hello from


enough Planet Earth!
photons to Will Voyagers
reveal an 1 and 2 also be
ultraviolet messengers?
universe!

Images and Web awards


activities we've received.
for the classroom.
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Webmaster: Diane Fisher


Last Updated: January 29, 2009

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The Space Place is a joint effort by:

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

California Institute of Technology

International Technology and Engineering Education


Association

Current Team Members

Content Developer: Diane Fisher


Producer and Coordinator: Nancy Leon
Graphic Artist: Alexander Novati
Lead Programmer, Animator: Anil Natha
Programmer, Game Developer: Austin Fitzpatrick
Technical Advisor, Writer: Dr. Marc Rayman
Outreach Assistant: Laura Lincoln
ITEEA Affiliate: Katie de la Paz
Past Team Members

Programmer: John Ibañez


Graphic Artist &
Freida Brillantes
Calendar Developer:
Graphic Designer &
Enrique Garcia
Multimedia Producer:
Photographer, Graphic Artist: Liliana Novati
Programming Assistant: Brian Li
Concept Contributor: Scott Marrett
Outreach Assistant: Trent Wells
Outreach Assistant: Colleen Barboza
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Webmaster: Diane Fisher


Last Updated: September 08,
2005 March 1, 2010
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Contact Space Place


Content Comments and Questions

Write to the following address for more information on the missions mentioned on
The Space Place:

New Millennium Program Education and Public Outreach


Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Mail Stop 606-100
4800 Oak Grove Dr.
Pasadena, California 91109

Thank you for your interest in The Space Place

Nancy Leon
Producer & Coordinator

Technical Comments and Questions

To send a comment or ask a question about The Space Place Web Site, please
send e-mail to:

So that we can sort e-mail and respond more effectively, please include a specific
subject line. Messages with blank or general subject lines such as "I have a
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Also, do not attach anything to your message. For security reasons, such messages
and their attachments will be deleted unopened.

Thank you for your interest in The Space Place Web site.

Diane Fisher
Webmaster & Content Developer

Other Contact Information

Write to this address for more information about science and technology
education in general:
International Technology Education Association
1914 Association Dr., Suite 201
Reston, Virginia 20191
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Last Updated: September 08,
2005
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