COMMERCIAL BENEFITS AND SPIN-OFFS FROM SPACE
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During the past four decades, a wide-ranging array of research and development has been conducted by the space industry resulting in technological advances which have affected the growth of existing and new industries and permeated many aspects of our daily lives. Space activities incorporate some of the most important areas of high technology such as computer software and hardware development, sophisticated electronics, satellite manufacturing, life sciences, new materials and launch technology. Products and services derived directly from space technology as well as indirectly from a large number of its spin-offs contribute, in many ways, to improving the quality of life and society. Some benefits are provided directly by the technology such as telemedicine, tele-education and emergency communications. However, satellite telecommunications constitute the most mature segment of the space market. According to some studies, there will be between 262 to 313 communications satellites in the geostationary orbit by the year 2006. New applications such as digital television, rural telephony, digital audio broadcasting, mobile services and high-bit-rate data delivery services provide the growing demand for these satellites.
As a result, the manufacture of launch vehicles has been developed into a lucrative industry to meet the needs of the satellite operators. On the other hand, remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are rapidly becoming significant commercial applications in this field. Twenty new remote sensing satellites are expected to be in orbit by 2002, considerably increasing data-collection capabilities. The new systems will provide users with higher spectral and spatial resolutions. GIS will become an essential tool for analysing data as well as presenting information for market and geopolitical analysis as well as for diverse applications such as environmental studies and disaster management planning. The use of the Global Satellite Navigation Systems (GSNS) has increased almost four-fold in the past four years, due to the dramatic increase in its accurate, real time, positioning data and the steep drop in prices of equipment. GSNS services are expected to become a standard feature integrated into a variety of multi-functional products such as low price, wireless personal communication devices.
Not all developments of space technology find their applications on Earth. Still in development, the space manufacturing industry is exploring the use of the near-zero gravity and vacuum environment of space for the production, processing and manufacture of materials for medical supplies, metal alloys, plastics or glass. Also, it is experimenting with the processing and analysis of organic matter and studying the physiology and behaviour of humans, animals and plants in the unique environment of space. Space technology now represents an immensely valuable bank of know-how that is used worldwide to bring new products, systems and services to the global market at competitive prices.
Other benefits are found in thousands of spin-offs which are products and processes emerging as secondary applications of space technology. They are found in fields such as environmental monitoring and natural resource management, agricultural processes, public health and safety, medicine, human resource development, transportation, telecommunications, computer and information technology and manufacturing of everyday products. The extensive cooperation and numerous partnerships between application and development engineers and the space industry have created these many new and diverse commercial products and services.
Food Packaging : Alure food packaging was developed in 1978. It protects products for long periods of time and can be used successfully on a wide variety of food packaging equipment as well as having good eye appeal. Adapted from the Echo I communications satellite, Alure effectively blocks out light, moisture and oxygen thereby giving the packaged food long shelf-life. Companies using Alure confirmed, through their own tests, that it runs faster on machines than former materials used and also decreases product waste.
Identification System : Through a digital data matrix developed by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Centre, a new method of identifying products with invisible and virtually indestructible markings is being commercially marketed. These laser-etched markings are termed 'compressed symbologies' and are used to automate inventory-taking, cut warehousing costs and avoid stock shortages.The coding technology provides up to 100 times as much information as linear bar coding symbology in the same or less space.
Water Filter : A compact, lightweight electrolytic water sterilizer that generates silver ions in concentrations of 50 to 100 parts per billion in water flow systems. The ions serve as a bactericide/deodorizer. Tap water passes through the filtering element of silver which has been chemically plated onto activated carbon. The silver inhibits bacterial growth and the activated carbon removes objectionable tastes and odours. Several models are available for stationary and portable use. One filter will treat 20,000 to 45,000 litres of water.
High Intensity Lights : Xenon arc lamps developed during the Apollo Space Programme are the basis for commercial flashlights, emergency hand lights as well as lights used on luxury cars. These extremely bright lights throw a beam some 50 times brighter than a high beam from an average car. The light penetrates fog and smoke and returns less 'back scatter' light. An infrared model produces totally invisible light for covert surveillance. Primarily they are used by the police and the military.
Trash Compactor : Waste disposal firms have made it possible for operators of boats and recreational vehicles to use a trash compactor that needs no electrical power. Simulated from the Space Shuttle Orbiter, this device has hand operated ratchets which drives a pressure plate to crush material in a bag liner. The compactor has a compressor force of 2000 pounds (approx. 900 kilos).
Fireblocking Fibres : Polybenzimidazole, PBI, was originally developed for space suits. In 1980, stricter government controls led to the commercial use of PBI as it does not burn when exposed to the air, is durable and easy to maintain. It can be used for aircraft seats and has been specified for a number of airlines.
Blankets : The technology behind the new, lightweight insulation used in spacecraft has been applied to create emergency rescue blankets capable of thwarting extremely cold weather. A low density honeycomb material was fabricated, capable of inhibiting convective and radiative heat transfer. Made out of plastic, the material is four times warmer dries five times faster than wool, even when subjected to wet conditions.
Oil Spill Cleanup : Petroleum Remediation Product (PRP) is a new way of cleaning up spills. It consists of thousands of microcapsules - tiny balls of beeswax with hollow centres, containing live microorganisms and nutrients to sustain them. As oil flows through the microcapsule's shell, it is consumed and digested by the microorganisms. Pressure build-up causes the PRP to explode and the enzymes, carbon dioxide and water are released into a 'BioBoom' used in conjunction with PRP which prevents contaminated water from spreading.
Personal Storm Warning Service : Although lightning detection systems are operated by meteorological centres and utility companies, the information they provide is not immediately available to the public. Therefore, the marketing of a low-cost personal lightning detector offers a significant safety advantage to private pilots, yachtsmen, golfers and others. The detectors were originated from Space Shuttle testing of an optical lightning detection technique. The commercial device is pointed towards a cloud to detect invisible intracloud lightning by sensing subtle changes in light presence.
Lightning Retardant Cable : With the help of NASA and Space Shuttle research, this protective cabling works, in part, to cancel magnetic field effects generated during a lightning strike. The cable's performance was installed in homes in a known storm area and monitored over several years during which time it took a number of direct hits. Not once was lightning carried into the homes.The product has now entered the consumer market and inroads are being made into its commercial development, specifically in airport lighting systems and as surge protection in power systems. Another by-product is a cable for the protection of small satellite dishes.
Commercial Earth Observation : Mariners now have a low-cost, portable, shipboard satellite groundstation integrated with vessel catch and product monitoring software. Linked to the Global Satellite Navigation System, the station provides 'real time' relationships between vessel position and data such as sea surface temperature, weather conditions and ice edge location. This helps the user to increase fishing productivity and improve vessel safety.
Slow-Release Fertilizer : To find ways to sustain plant growth in space environments, NASA worked with an innovative technology company. The research led to the cultivation of plants in a highly productive, synthetic soil (or substrate) made up of minerals known as zeolites. The technique is termed 'zeoponics'. Zeolites are a group of naturally occurring minerals with a honeycomb-like layered crystal structure. The network of interconnected tunnels and cages can be loaded with nitrogen and potassium combined with other slowly dissolving ingredients. The zeolite acts as a nutritious reservoir which can be used 'on demand'. Only water has to be added. The product is sold for golf courses, sports playing fields and for greenhouse horticultural use. It can also be blended with other potting mixtures and unlike commonly used fertilisers, the product dramatically reduces loss of nutrients to ground water and the environment.
Boon for Bone Research : Studies of astronauts health in long term space missions led to the development of the Mechanical Response Tissue Analyzer (MRTA). It is a research tool for astronaut disuse osteoporosis as well as related bone disorders among the general population. The MRTA is a portable instrument that measures the pliability of bones using electrically-induced vibration and detects and analyzes the frequencies of the resonating bone. Unlike some other methods, the MRTA uses no radiation and is fast, simple and relatively inexpensive.
Computer-Based Medical System : A medical information and diagnostic support system designed for space travel has found new earthbound applications. The transfer of this technology to the medical field resulted in an electronic medical library and record keeping system. Doctors can better inform patients about their care, keep paperless medical records, prevent dangerous drug interactions and confirm diagnoses. The programme features digital dictation and transcription, automated storage and retrieval of patients' records, information on more than 20,000 drugs and their side effects, video pictures and sound bytes recorded during physical examinations for the patient's medical chart.