Medallions given to Space Technology Hall of Fame inductees are displayed during the 17th annual awards dinner, held in April at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colo.

The Space Foundation and NASA announced recently the selection of four “down to Earth” technologies for induction into the Space Technology Hall of Fame™.

The 2005 winners range from temperature regulating “phase change” fabrics to advanced water filtration technology that can provide safe drinking water to people around the world. The result of successful NASA and private industry research and development efforts, the four new space-based technologies to be inducted into the Hall of Fame are InnerVue™ Diagnostic Scope System; NanoCeram® Superfilters; Outlast Technologies Inc. Smart Fabric Technology™; and Portable Hyperspectral Imaging Systems. Each brings to Earth a different life-enhancing benefit and all incorporate space technology.

Space Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer Elliot G. Pulham says, “The 2005 Hall of Fame inductees represent space technologies that save lives and improve the quality of life for thousands of people every day. They are great examples of why what we do in space matters on Earth.”

The inducted technologies and innovators were honored at the 17 Space Technology Hall of Fame Dinner, held in April at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colo. The awards dinner, co-sponsored by Northrop Grumman, is the capstone event of the 21 National Space Symposium.

The Space Foundation, in cooperation with NASA, established the Space Technology Hall of Fame™ in 1988 to honor the innovators who have transformed space technology into commercial products, to increase public awareness of the benefits of space technology and to encourage further innovation. There are many technologies deserving recognition and nominations for induction into the Space Technology Hall of Fame are welcome.

“As we turn our eyes toward the stars, it is important to remember the life-saving and life-enhancing technologies that space exploration brings back to Earth,” says NASA’s Deputy Administrator Frederick Gregory. “The 2005 inductees into the Space Technology Hall of Fame are great examples of how the exploration of space builds value for people on Earth.”

The 2005 Space Technology Hall of Fame Inductees are:

InnerVue™ Diagnostic Scope System

The InnerVue™ Diagnostic Scope System uses space image enhancement technology and a disposable micro-invasive endoscope to enable doctors to see clearly inside joints with minimum patient discomfort. With this new technology, for example, patients are able to walk immediately after a knee examination and also receive a quick and accurate medical diagnosis.

Outlast Technologies Inc. Smart Fabric Technology™

Derived from research on materials to protect astronauts from extreme temperature fluctuations in space, Outlast “Smart Fabric Technology™ contains micro-encapsulated phase change materials called Thermocules” that can absorb, store and release heat. This patented technology is used in a range of consumer products such as active wear to create a comfort zone next to the body.

NanoCeram® Superfilters

The mounting threat of contaminated water supplies has increased the need for technology to remove waterborne pathogens. Thanks to cooperative efforts between NASA and others to develop advanced water filtration systems for spacecraft, NanoCeram® Superfilters were created. Comprised of nanometer-size particles, these filters far exceed current filtration systems and can handle the most difficult treatment requirements. for industrial, residential and recreational water purification.

Portable Hyperspectral Imaging Systems

During the Space Technology Hall of Fame induction ceremony, NASA's Deputy Administrator Frederick D. Gregory speaks to attendees about the life-saving and life-enhancing technologies that space exploration brings back to Earth.

Hyperspectral imagery provides hundreds of “spectra,” or measurements of energy, making it possible to distinguish between natural and manmade objects. Working with NASA, the Institute for Technology Development (ITD) has radically reduced sensor size and eliminated the need for sensor or target motion to obtain images. These innovations have led to a portable device that has opened a range of new diagnostic applications in the bio-medical, forensics, counter terrorism, food safety, and Earth imaging markets.

Hosted by the Space Foundation, the symposium is the world's premier annual space industry conference. Featured speakers for the symposium included The Honorable Dr. Ronald M. Sega, director of defense research and engineering for the Department of Defense; Adm. Timothy J. Keating, commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command; Gen. James E. Cartwright, commander of U.S. Strategic Command; and Gen. Lance W. Lord, commander of Air Force Space Command.

Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., the Space Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that vigorously advances civil, commercial and national security space endeavors and educational excellence. The Space Foundation has offices in Washington, D.C., and Cape Canaveral, Fla.

For more information, visit spacetechhalloffame.org or call (800) 691-4000.

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