Inventions from Space Exploration We Use on Earth Today

There are many critics who see space travel as a wasteful and impractical expenditure of precious resources. However, they are mistaken in this regard.

Thanks to the space program, a vast number of inventions have been created that we commonly use on Earth today.

Author: Tomáš Bajgar

Handheld Vacuum

Nowadays, almost everyone has a handheld vacuum at home. Its compact size makes it useful not only for cleaning the couch in the living room but also for car seats. Moreover, modern handheld vacuums don't even need a power outlet as they have their own battery.

The current handheld vacuum is derived from the lunar dust collector developed by NASA engineers. The inventors probably never imagined that their creation would one day be such a hit.

Wireless Headphones

Wireless headphones were not invented by Apple, Sony, or Samsung. They are also among the inventions that first saw the light of day in NASA's development laboratories.

Wireless headphones were used during Apollo missions. Neil Armstrong himself wore them when he became the first person to step onto an extraterrestrial body.

Remote Thermometers

Remote thermometers are very popular today, especially in healthcare facilities. Higher quality models measure quite accurately and allow for significant distance from patients, reducing potential infection risks.

In this case, too, we owe this invention to NASA. They have long used similar methods to measure the temperature of various space objects, just as we measure body temperature in humans today.

Durable Eyeglass Lenses

The original eyeglass lenses were made of glass, which is very fragile and thus impractical. Over time, plastic lenses began to be used. While they didn't shatter with every knock, they could still be scratched relatively easily.

NASA inventors provided the solution. They developed materials resistant to both breakage and scratching. However, this invention was not intended for widespread use. These materials were initially developed to enhance the durability of astronaut helmet visors.

Mobile Phone Cameras

Mobile phones have long been more than just devices for calls and texts. Today, they are multifunctional gadgets capable of taking excellent photos. This requires a miniature camera, first invented by NASA scientists.

They needed something small that wouldn't take up much space in the confined areas of spacecraft, yet still provide high-quality images.

Memory Foam

Thanks to NASA, millions of people worldwide can sleep much better. Their scientists invented memory foam, commonly used in mattresses and pillows.

This material can adapt to a person's shape, leading to greater comfort.

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NASA as a Fountain of Useful Inventions

We mainly associate NASA with the development of space shuttles, various probes, and other star-faring vehicles. However, their scientists have also invented many other useful items, many of which we use daily in various forms.