Category: Blog

Many of the objects we rely on every day only exist thanks to NASA’s ingenious team of scientists and engineers.

We’re celebrating the brains behind these vital elements of modern life, looking back over NASA’s achievements and exploring the fascinating origins of these everyday items.

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Nike Air Trainers

In 1979, NASA aeronautical engineer Frank Rudy decided to take technology originally developed for astronauts’ helmets and apply it to sports shoes. Using ‘blow rubber moulding’, an aeronautics technique used for the Apollo mission helmets, he pumped gas into hollowed-out plastic soles to create a shock-absorbing cushion, reducing the strength of an impact. Rudy pitched this idea to Nike, resulting in the launch of the AIR brand (Tailwind) that is still being used today – we’re quite literally walking on air! Having revolutionised running shoe’s traction, comfort, and lightness, British runner Steve Ovett won a gold medal at the Moscow Olympics a year later in these trainers.

 

Laptops

The GRiD Compass – the world’s first laptop computer – was initially used on a space shuttle mission flown from the Kennedy Space Center in 1983. With a robust clam shell design, GRiD was about the size of a large ring binder and weighed a hefty 4.5kg. Its 21.6cm plasma screen could display 25 lines of up to 128 characters that could be “viewed from any angle and under any lighting conditions”. The device came with a spreadsheet and text editor, a database manager, a plotter, a terminal emulator and other business software. The Compass was priced at a whopping $8,150 (the equivalent of around $23,000 today), so was understandably not intend for consumers, but for business executives.

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Phone Cameras

From digital cameras to Go Pros to phone cameras, NASA was the first to develop the concept of a technology we couldn’t imagine life without today. When they decided to substitute Charged Coupled Device (CCD) sensors for Complimentary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) sensors in their satellite cameras, they were on to something big. CMOS are much more portable and energy conscious sensors, they also capture higher-quality images. Using this technology, NASA created a camera small enough to fit on a spacecraft without sacrificing quality, maintaining the scientific excellence of image sensors in space. Today, these clever sensors are used in practically every camera.

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Super Soakers

The technology behind Super Soakers was accidentally developed by a NASA spacecraft systems engineer and part-time inventor Lonnie Johnson. He was working on a new concept for a heat pump to use in refrigerators, “machining some nozzles and experimenting at home” when he “shot some streams of water into the sink”. Surprised by their power, he thought, “Geez, this would make a neat water gun”. After giving the prototype to his daughter, he soon heard feedback of its success with her friends. He received the patent for his ‘Squirt Gun’ in 1968.

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Memory Foam

The memory foam in our mattresses, pillows, and even shoes was created in the 1970s by NASA-funded researchers as padding to keep pilots cushioned during flights. The visco-elastic foam would mould to the astronauts’ bodies during the high forces experienced in take-off and landing, improving crash protection, support and comfort. Today, memory foam mattresses carry a ‘Certified Space Technology’ stamp of approval. TEMPUR is even recognised by NASA and certified by the Space Foundation.

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Cordless Vacuums

Cordless vacuums were first developed as a lightweight device to collect samples on the moon. NASA contracted Black & Decker to create the battery-operated vacuum/drill hybrid.  The technology was lightweight, compact and powerful, so was quickly reused in consumer, industrial and medical hand-held cordless vacuums, including the Dustbuster.

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Precision GPS

NASA originally developed precision GPS technology to correct errors in the data from their Jet Propulsion Lab’s (JPL) global network of GPS receivers. It was the Sputnik era, and the US Navy was experimenting with satellite navigation to track their submarines with nuclear missiles onboard. Later in the 70s, the Department of Defense (DoD) used these Navy techniques to create a stable satellite navigation system, leading to the first Navigation System with Timing and Ranging (NAVSTAR) satellite.

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Enriched Baby Formula

The nutritional enrichment found in enriched baby formula was originally found by experiments conducted by NASA in the early 1980s. Researchers began by exploring the use of algae to create oxygen in outer space using the process of photosynthesis. However, they soon realised that certain types of algae contained some of the essential omega-3 fatty acids that are present in human breast milk. This discovery was then used in baby formulas, enriched with the fatty acids that help babies in their development.

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Resistance-Based Workout Machines

NASA engineers created the treadmills and workout machines that are (sometimes reluctantly!) used today. They created workout machines to maintain astronauts’ physical fitness in space because exposure to zero gravity can weaken the body, leading to muscle waste and decreasing bone density. Their Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) was designed to allow for more intense workouts in zero gravity. This resistance technology was developed further to make fitness and gym training more accessible to everyone.

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UV-Blocking Sunglasses

NASA first developed UV-blocking sunglasses to block out harmful wavelengths of solar radiation. The sunlight-filtering lenses protected astronauts’ eyes and enhanced colours. When creating the lenses, JPL scientists James Stephens and Charles Miller studied the eye structure of various birds of prey. Some contain oil droplets that protect from intensely radiated light waves to enhance vision. They took inspiration from nature to create a filtering system using light-filtering dyes and particles of zinc oxide. This same technology is use in sunglasses, safety masks for welding and ski goggles today.

It’s World Space Week, and this year’s theme is sustainability.

The space sector isn’t just about rockets and astronauts. Ever-evolving space technologies are working hard to make Earth more sustainable today and for future generations.

This week, we’re celebrating space’s relationship with sustainability by exploring some key issues the sector is working to fix.

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REUSABLE ROCKETS

Imagine planes weren’t reusable – it just wouldn’t make sense. If we were to build a new aircraft for each flight, it would be an extremely unsustainable way to travel. Why should it be any different with rockets?

Reusability is vital in the space sector because rockets and fuel are expensive. As more organisations invest in multi-use rockets, it’s showing huge potential in driving down the capital cost of each rocket per launch. On top of this, this kind of technology and innovation is making space more accessible for everyone. NASA calculated that the cost of commercial launches to the International Space Station has reduced by four times over the last 20 years.

NASA paved the way for sustainable spacecraft with their Space Shuttle fleet – Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour. Their main shuttles were completely reusable, along with their two solid rocket boosters. The crew only  needed to replace the external fuel tank for each new mission. These innovative spacecrafts carried 800 astronauts on a grand total of 135 missions between 1981 and 2011. They inspired a generation of space lovers while playing a key part in constructing the International Space Station.

In more recent news, SpaceX developed Falcon 9, a reusable two-stage rocket. With this rocket’s launch cost once standing at $62 million, reusability has driven this down over 40%. These reduced costs are opening the door to space for more companies, reducing waste and enabling innovation through space exploration.

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3D PRINTED ROCKETS

On the subject of reducing launch costs, another hot topic in the industry right now is 3D printed rockets. Construction through 3D printing massively reduces waste and CO2 emissions, enabling sustainable space exploration even further. While it once took thousands of engineers decades to get a rocket into space, 3D printers are now reducing turnaround time to as little as 60 days.

Founded in 2015, California-based startup Relativity Space are making huge waves in the industry with their 3D printed rockets. Terran 1 is a two-stage, 7.5 ft wide and 110ft tall rocket – it’s the largest 3D printed object in existence to attempt spaceflight. In addition to their sustainable manufacturing, all of Relativity Space’s rockets are fuelled by liquid oxygen and liquid natural gas. Aside from being extremely effective fuel sources, they can also be reused for future missions.

As the space sector continues to benefit humanity through threads of innovation, it’s exciting to see companies directing time and money towards more sustainable methods of exploration. With the topic of sustainability in the industry more relevant than ever, we can’t wait to see what the experts will come up with next.

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REFORESTATION

Over 420 million hectares of forest have been demolished since 1990, and the problem is getting worse. 25.8 million hectares were lost in 2020, which is double the amount lost in 2001.

It’s estimated that 2,400 trees are cut down every minute, with a forest the size of a football field lost every second. Alongside this, 137 species of animals, birds and plants are lost globally each day.

Satellites play a crucial role in minoring deforestation. Technologies like Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites allow us to detect and track deforestation, as well as analyse biomass and forest height. These satellites use radars to map and image the Earth’s surface with day, night and all-weather capabilities. They also allow us to “see” through things like clouds, smoke, vegetation, snow and sand. The ability to repeatedly scan the same area, regardless of atmospheric or weather conditions, makes SAR an incredibly effective tool in measuring changes in the Earth’s landscapes and environment.

Satellites like these enable us to monitor reforestation projects, ensuring transparency and progress in humanity’s fight to protect and rebuild these much-needed forests.

While reforestation starts here on Earth through choosing sustainable products and foods, recycling more and going paperless, space-based technologies are a key component in our shared mission to save planet Earth’s green spaces.

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SPACE DEBRIS

Also referred to as space junk, space debris is any man-made object in Earth’s orbit that no longer serves a purpose. It includes items like disused spacecraft, inactive satellites, fragments from explosions and collisions, launch canisters and mission-related objects.

As Earth’s orbit becomes more congested, this debris threatens human spaceflight and robotic missions. It also causes problems for our GPS, weather forecasting and telecommunications systems back on Earth. With an estimated 9,000 metric tons of debris currently in Earth’s orbit, the sector is investing in innovative ways to clean up space.

In March 2021, private orbital debris removal company Astroscale launched its End-of-Life Services by Astroscale-demonstration (ELSA-d) satellite. It consists of two spacecraft – a 175kg chaser and a 17kg target. Using magnets, ELSA-d will capture orbiting junk and pull it out of orbit to burn up in the atmosphere. This innovative craft was awarded the 2021 Satellite Technology of the Year Award.

Astroscale reported ELSA-d’s success in August 2021, giving new hope that the spacecraft will be able to complete this same process to capture pieces of debris.

Many other posed solutions are still in their research phases. The US Defence Advanced Research Project Agency has been investigating a ‘space garbage truck’ equipped with 200 giant nets to catch orbiting debris. The collected junk would either be dragged into lower orbit or brought back to land in the ocean.

Whichever innovative method c gets the go-ahead, one thing is clear – and it’s definitely not space. With the sheer mass of junk orbiting Earth, we need to come up with an effective solution, and fast.

The space sector has come a long way, but our venture beyond the stars has only just begun. The sector will transform our lives in ways we never thought possible, but for the industry to thrive, humanity needs to clean up its act.

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CLIMATE CHANGE

While many complex systems contribute to the Earth’s atmosphere, both natural and man-made, the key to fighting climate change is understanding and monitoring its causes. Through space exploration and technologies, we’re able to gain accurate information about changes in the Earth’s atmosphere.

Satellites and other space technologies allow us to monitor and minimise the impact of climate change, protecting Earth’s people, animals and ecosystems. Multiple satellites systems are currently monitoring climate change from space. They track sea levels, greenhouse gas emissions and land surface temperatures.

NASA’s Nimbus-3 satellite, launched in 1969, was the first to offer an accurate measurement of Earth’s atmospheric temperatures. Today, the agency has multiple orbiting satellites in their Earth observation fleet that are producing evolving climate models to help us combat climate change.

Cube satellites (CubeSats) are also being used as remote sensing tools in the fight against climate change. These tiny nanosatellites carry scientific instruments that gather scientific data and conduct experiments from space. They’re widely utilised to track various measures of climate change and are vital in our plight to solve the crisis.

It seems that innovation in the space sector knows no bounds. It’s not just about exploration – the industry’s incredible capabilities can combat everyday issues like climate change that affect each and every one of us. As the climate crisis rages on, space technologies like these will be an integral element of our fight against it.

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WATER PURIFICATION

2.2 billion people are currently living with limited access to safe drinking water. By 2025, it’s estimated that half of the world’s population will be living in water-deprived areas.

In the face of this tragedy, space technology supports water purification efforts worldwide. Advanced modern water filtration and purification systems use technology originally developed for the International Space Station.

One of the very first ground-based water systems was installed in northern Iraq in 2006, backed by NASA technology. When a non-profit organisation called Concern for Kids heard about a well failure in the area that left the residents of Kendala, an Iraqi village, without access to drinking water. Tragically, this caused the village’s population to drop from 1,000 to only 150 people. The survivors were forced to live off water from a local creek that was contaminated by livestock.

Another innovative system, The Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), was created by NASA to recycle water and air aboard the International Space Station. The ECLSS consists of two core systems, The Water Recovery System (WRS) and the Oxygen Generation System (OGS). The OGC creates oxygen while replacing lost oxygen caused by airlock depressurisation, CO2 venting, various experiments and module leakage, while the WRS works to provide clean drinking water through recycled urine, condensation and extra vehicular activity waste. This recycled water provides both the ISS crew and laboratory animals with clean water to sustain prolonged space travel.

These threads of innovation from the space sector are quite literally saving and sustaining lives worldwide. They’re a prime example of ways the industry supports both life in space as well as back on Earth.

DISASTER RESPONSE

The space sector plays a vital role in crisis management and disaster response. Space-based technologies enable us to stay ahead of the curve when disaster strikes, facilitating early warning, prevention and faster response time.

With the frequency and severity of natural disasters rising, the space sector’s capabilities will be critical for disaster response and reconstruction. They will help us to save lives, minimise damage to impacted areas and rebuild communities.

When disaster-prone areas become highly populated, monitoring and early response are crucial. To enable this, systems like the European Union’s Earth observation programme, Copernicus, provide valuable data about our planet and its environment. The Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS) generates geospatial information for emergency response and disaster risk reduction. Using satellites, CEMS continuously monitors the Earth’s environment and creates forecasts for droughts, floods and forest fires through on-demand mapping.

When Hurricane Ian tragically struck parts of the US, devastating homes, businesses and entire communities, the space sector sprung into action. Various satellite constellations provided critical data about the storm’s severity and path of destruction, allowing experts to create disaster response plans. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) even produced publicly available street-by-street satellite maps of affected areas, enabling residents to assess the damage to their homes even if they were unable access them.

The space sector saves lives in the face of disaster. Innovative technologies and systems like these give us a vital advantage against damage and devastation, allowing experts to quickly assess and respond to these life-threatening situations.

We’re delighted to introduce EVONA’s newest strategic advisor – Christina Korp.

Alongside the enormous growth we’ve experienced as a company, Christina’s industry experience and expertise will be instrumental in our mission to shape the space sector one inspired person at a time.

Christina has a wealth of knowledge across many corners of the space sector. She’s a space advisor, astronaut manager and the president of Purpose Entertainment. Impressively, she managed Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin and played a vital role in launching his education foundations – ShareSpace and the Aldrin Family Foundation. Christina is even known as an ‘astronaut wrangler’ because of her history of managing and working with high-profile astronauts.

Christina is the founder of SPACE for a Better World, a space education and advocacy organisation that partners with schools, universities, education foundations and space grant consortiums. They create progammes and projects that can be duplicated in any community to inspire, educate and raise awareness of the ways space can be used for good.

“I’m excited about partnering with EVONA because of our shared values and purpose,” Christina commented. “We all came to space from outside of the space ecosystem and I think we see the enormous possibilities with a fresh perspective that is really needed. I look forward to working with the crew at EVONA to inspire more people to want to work in space.“

Before entering the space sector, Christina had a fruitful music career. After being in a family band for 10 years, she moved to LA aged 22 to pursue her dreams of being a rockstar. She went on to produce records, tour the world and even sing backup for legends like Ringo Starr. She eventually took a job working as Buzz Alrdin’s manager, and so begun her incredible journey into the space industry.

“Not only is Christina’s experience incredible, but from the very first meeting it was clear that EVONA’s vision of a more inclusive space sector aligned perfectly with Christina’s. We’re thrilled to be working alongside people that genuinely want to make a difference to our sector and can’t wait to see what the future holds for this partnership,” said Jack Madley, EVONA Co-Founder.

As a lifelong lover of space who took an unconventional route into the sector, Christina provides a fresh perspective that aligns perfectly with our own. She’s a passionate advocate of inspiring people of all ages, genders and backgrounds to get involved in space and other STEM industries. Christina’s mission is to connect the space curious to the space serious, demystifying the sector and increasing awareness of the sector’s incredible work.

We’re both proud and excited to be partnered with such an inspiring member of the space sector. Our crew are very much looking forwards to working with Christina to help people to find their place in space and shape the sector for future generations.

Through the EVONA Scholarship for Diversity in STEM, we’re proud to be sponsoring a talented young person through a multi-year degree, in partnership with the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF).

Following the scholarship fund’s announcement at last year’s GEOINT Symposium, all 2022 USGIF scholarship winners have now been selected.

“Not only does EVONA share USGIF’s commitment to investing in the future of GEOINT, they also understand the essential need for that future workforce to be equitable and diverse,” commented Christine MacKrell, USGIF Director of Education and Professional Development. “With support from community partners like EVONA, USGIF is better positioned to work toward our goal of diversifying the GEOINT talent pipeline.”

The EVONA Scholarship was created as part of our mission to drive diversity into STEM industries. It was designed to open doors for an undergrad from a diverse gender and racial background pursuing a geospatial, data science, or space-focused degree. We want to inspire someone who may have otherwise faced challenges, or felt it was not possible, to pursue a career in STEM.

Richard Joyce, EVONA Co-Founder, commented, “EVONA are advocates for the benefits that a diverse workforce can bring to any organisation. Like many in our sector, we recognise that there is a lack of diversity in space, aerospace, engineering and STEM as a whole, and we know the industry won’t change unless we begin to address that issue now. We’re looking forward to supporting someone throughout the next stage in their education and beyond into a bright career in STEM.”

After careful consideration, the winner of the EVONA Scholarship for Diversity in STEM has been selected. We’re thrilled to introduce – Janna Chapman.

Currently studying at the University of Maryland, College Park, Janna is a senior dual degree student majoring in environmental sciences and technology and geographical sciences. Her lifelong interest in environmental science and experience with spatial data manipulation has fuelled her passion for a career in GEOINT.

“Earning the USGIF EVONA Diversity Scholarship solidifies the strength of my knowledge and competence in the geospatial field,” said Janna. “Knowing that top people in the industry feel that I am worthy of this scholarship makes me feel that I will be able to succeed in the future. I also appreciate USGIF and EVONA’s commitment to diversity by supporting underrepresented students. I love the geographical sciences, hope for more people who look like me to feel included in this field in the future. This scholarship will allow me to focus on my school and research work without having to find a part-time job to pay for college.”

Janna has a keen interest in using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to investigate the spatial patterns and inequalities associated with the effects of climate change. After pursing a master’s in geographical science, she hopes to one day have a career in environmental data science.

EVONA Co-founder Tom Kelly commented, “As a specialist space sector staffing agency, we understand that sustainability of the space sector relies on the next generation. We must act in a pragmatic way now to encourage diversity into the workforce as well as nurture the talent already within. EVONA strive to make a tangible difference to a sector we love, and we’re thrilled to be able to do that in such an impactful way by sponsoring Janna in her undergraduate degree.”

We talk a lot about diversity and inclusion, and we want to lead by example. Through the EVONA Scholarship, we hope to demonstrate exactly how to affect change in the industry – by investing in culture, diversity and inclusion. By creating a diverse sector today, we can shape the future of STEM into one that will progress and thrive.

We’re passionate about driving diversity into the industry and are thrilled to be funding this scholarship in alignment with our mission. Our entire crew are wishing Janna the best of luck in her degree and can’t wait to meet her when she flies to the UK.

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