''There's Space in My Life...''
by Terri Hudkins
Women's Outreach Initiative
ASA'S RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IS NOT just about distant galaxies,
astronauts and super-sonic aircraft. The science and engineering that make NASA's programs possible
touch lives every day. This influence is most apparent in the field of medicine where innovative thinking
has made it possible to adapt deep space technology to understanding, detecting and treating cancer.
NASA's research is designed to learn how to fly higher and faster, and about how to live and work in
space. Its application, however, often hits much closer to home.
To share information about how NASA science, research and technologies improve the lives of women, men and their families, NASA has begun an innovative, two-year initiative to reach women and their families called, ''There's Space in My Life.'' The initiative originated with NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin who wants to share information about how aerospace is an investment in our current standard of living, in our knowledge of our place in the universe and in our children's future.
Recognizing the importance of 21st Century technologies in women's health, NASA's Ames Research Center and the US Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Women's Health signed an historic agreement in October 1997 to work more closely on a number of technologies to benefit women's health. The two agencies will focus their efforts on cancer, reproductive health, pregnancy, osteoporosis and education. Several members of Congress were there to mark the occasion and lend their support. The Congressional Caucus on Women's Issues held a luncheon immediately following the signing, entitled, ''Space Technology Contributions to Breast Cancer Research.'' Several members of Congress and a senator shared their personal stories about cancer. This disease touches almost everyone in our society.
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, we created and wrote feature stories, with help from the Technology Transfer and Commercialization offices, and conducted over 100 live interviews with television stations across the US about how NASA technology is offering hope in the fight against this dreaded disease.
Featured in this issue of Innovation are highlights of the technologies in use today and being developed for tomorrow, that help doctors find and treat breast cancer, one of the leading causes of death among American women.
The importance of innovative thinking is brilliantly demonstrated with NASA's application of Hubble Space Telescope technology in improving the first line of defense against breast cancer: regular mammograms. Who would have thought that the technology used to pinpoint specific stars among the millions in the galaxies could be used to find the tiniest abnormalities in breast tissue? This is not science fiction, but science fact, in your doctor's office today. NASA is reaching out to women and families to let them know how their space and aeronautics tax dollars are being applied right here on Earth-not only in cancer research but in many other areas of particular interest to women.
Much of NASA's research in health and medicine is especially important to women, because many of the troublesome symptoms experienced by astronauts in space flight are similar to conditions that affect many women on Earth, such as osteoporosis.
We are very excited about this new initiative on technologies ''twice used,'' once for NASA's principal mission in space and aeronautics, and again, for other purposes in the form of products and services, that directly affects us all. Indeed, NASA's less often stated mission is to improve the quality of life on Earth.
Upcoming campaigns will include feature stories, brochures, events and a website for families on the topics of health and fitness, travel and leisure, home and garden, safety, and exploring the mysteries of Earth and the universe.
Look for updates in future issues of Innovation.
THE IMPORTANCE OF INNOVATIVE
THINKING IS BRILLIANTLY
DEMONSTRATED WITH NASA'S
APPLICATION OF HUBBLE SPACE
TELESCOPE TECHNOLOGY IN
IMPROVING THE FIRST LINE OF
DEFENSE AGAINST BREAST
CANCER: REGULAR
MAMMOGRAMS.
