[Reading Science] The 'Bonus' That Changed the World... Space Spin-off Technology

"This is why we invest in space development."

One of the reasons why major countries around the world are engaging in space development is that the spin-off technologies developed during the research and development (R&D) process are truly lucrative. There are numerous cases where technologies developed and applied during space R&D have had a tremendous impact on global industry and economy. The satellite navigation system (GPS) is a representative example. It is used not only in car navigation but also in telecommunications, finance, gas industries, and agriculture. Especially in the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution, ultra-precise location information is essential for future technologies such as autonomous vehicles and urban air mobility (UAM). Its importance was also highlighted during the Russia-Ukraine war, as it could determine national survival and the outcome of the war. According to the 2020 Space White Paper by the Ministry of Science and ICT, from 1980 when the US opened GPS to the civilian sector until 2017, the revenue generated by other industries using GPS reached a staggering $1.2 trillion.

Other applied technologies also have a significant impact on our daily lives. The water purifier that supplies the drinking water we consume daily was a technology developed for astronauts during the Apollo program. Fire alarms that detect smoke were developed for the International Space Station (ISS). Memory foam used in mattresses and pillows, infrared thermometers commonly used in hospitals and homes, freeze-dried foods such as baby formula, superelastic tires, mobile phone cameras, and microwave ovens are also representative examples. Medical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) technologies were derived from digital imaging technology used in spacecraft. Automatic rendezvous and docking technology was applied in the development of LASIK surgery devices and excimer laser treatment devices, and satellite-to-base station communication technology was used in the development of pacemakers and high-performance hearing aids.

Finder, a life-saving device developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Photo by NASA website

Recently, NASA’s advanced life-saving equipment 'FINDER,' urgently airlifted to search for missing persons after the earthquake in T?rkiye, is also a spin-off technology. Developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), this device uses microwaves to detect survivors buried under building debris. It senses minute vibrations caused by heartbeats and breathing. It boasts precision enough to distinguish between machines and humans, as well as animals and humans. It can scan for survivors within a certain range in 30 seconds and can be easily operated via a smartphone app. Commercialization began in earnest in 2019, and it demonstrated its value at large-scale disaster sites such as the hurricane damage in the Bahamas that same year. Many rescue agencies in the US, including the Orange County Fire Authority in California, as well as overseas users in the UK, France, Norway, Saudi Arabia, and the Philippines, have purchased and are using it.

Air filter developed by NASA for spacecraft. Photo by NASA website

Most recently, air filter technology used in spacecraft has entered commercialization, attracting attention. NASA has developed and is using air filters that supply clean air inside spacecraft, which can be quickly and easily replaced and block dust and bacteria. This technology was recently transferred to a startup founded by former American football player Aaron Wallace and is being developed into filter services for large buildings such as schools and universities. Developed at NASA’s Glenn Research Center, this filter technology offers excellent performance and can be managed with the push of a button. It can block ultrafine particles just a few micrometers in size, and through computer monitoring, filter contamination levels can be checked to perform replacement and purification tasks.

Notably, NASA is actively involved in these space technology spin-offs. Even Wallace’s startup was initiated after he participated in a startup program hosted by NASA and the NFL Players Association following his retirement. NASA actively transfers and commercializes various R&D achievements to the private sector through the Glenn Research Center’s technology transfer program. To date, about 200 technologies have been applied in industrial fields as a result of these efforts. Especially last year, 32 technology transfers related to 55 patents and patent applications were carried out.