Volume 4, Number 2 May/June 1996
Everytime you ride on an airliner you can be assured that some of the safety features came from the space program. All aircraft seats now have a polymer with a coating of fire resistant materials on to insure safety, but this technology was originally developed from NASA's Apollo era. It is estimated that more than 25 lives each year are saved because of this fire resistant coating. In response to the growing market for this NASA-inspired safety product developed at Ames Research Center, several companies produce the fibers that are encapsulated in a flame resistant material.
This is just one of three commercial products that are spin-offs from NASA technology inducted into the Space Technology Hall of Fame Dinner on April 11, 1996, at the United States Space Foundation's 12th National Space Symposium.
Since 1988, the U.S. Space Foundation, with NASA, has inducted more than 22 technologies into the Space Technology Hall of Fame to showcase the many commercially viable products that enhance life on Earth. The technologies are judged by a team of nationally prominent citizens. In the past, technologies such as cordless tools, excimer laser angioplasty, digital imaging, and an improved breathing system for firefighters have been inducted.
In addition to the fire-resistant airline seats, anti-shock trousers and radiation barrier technologies were inducted into the 1996 Hall of Fame.
The Anti-Shock Trouser system was developed during the Apollo program at NASA Ames Research Center when researchers were developing a space suit. Researchers found that the astronaut's body and body fluid changed in different gravity levels. As a result of their findings they adapted an anti-G suit originally used for pilots of high-performance aircraft. The key component of the suit is the trousers which contain pneumatic bladders to counteract the fluids shifts.
In the late 1960's, the anti-G suit was modified to help people who suffer from internal bleeding. It's estimated that this technology has been used over two million times. Several companies now manufacture products and most states require ambulances to carry anti-shock garments. Conservative estimates show sales of these garments exceed $50 million over the lifetime of the technology.
The third technology to be inducted is the Radiation Barrier, a thin polymeric film that is lightweight and flexible but strong enough to withstand the vigor of space use. Radiation Barrier film was developed at Johnson Space Center to protect the astronauts from the extreme temperature ranges of space. This film is coated with a thin layer of aluminum and provides thermal protection for astronauts. With this technology the temperature in the spacecraft can be controlled. The Radiation Barrier is used on virtually all spacecraft, for example, the IAE satellite (see page 18), because of its unique capability to insulate and radiate in situations where delicate instruments need protection from temperature extremes. The metallized plastic technology was offered to the public free and many U.S. firms took advantage of its use. It is now used in insulation for homes and office buildings, automobiles, trucks and food transports, as well as wrappers for candy bars and other food products. Today, revenue generated for commercial companies is in the multimillion.
The honorees for the Space Technology Hall of Fame are Bruce Webbon, Vic Vykukal and Ralph Pelligra of Ames for the anti-shock trousers and Demetrius Kourtides of Ames will be recognized as the inventor of the flame resistant seat technology.
For more information, contact Laurie Johnson at the U.S. Space Foundation. Phone: 719/576-8000, ??? Please mention that you read about it in Innovation.
