NASA Spinoff 2012 Features New Space Tech Bettering Your Life Today

Feb. 13, 2013

David E. Steitz
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1730
david.steitz@nasa.gov

RELEASE: 13-038

NASA SPINOFF 2012 FEATURES NEW SPACE TECH BETTERING YOUR LIFE TODAY

WASHINGTON -- A plant texts a farmer to say it needs more water. An
invisible coating scrubs pollutants from the air. A robot roams a
hospital's halls, aiding doctors and nurses by recording vital signs
and registrations. The 2012 edition of NASA's annual Spinoff
publication captures a nation and world made better by advancements
originally achieved for space technology.

Spinoff 2012 offers a close-up look at how NASA's initiatives in
aeronautics and space exploration have resulted in commercial
technologies with benefits across the economy: health and medicine,
transportation, public safety, consumer goods, energy and
environment, information technology and industrial productivity.

"It's part of NASA's mission to ensure the results of our research and
development benefit all of society," NASA Administrator Charles
Bolden said. "Spinoff 2012 documents the amazing stories that have
come about from NASA technologies being adapted for uses here on
Earth."

These advancements improve and save thousands of lives. NASA spinoffs
also contribute to economic growth by generating billions of dollars
in revenues and creating thousands of new jobs. In addition, NASA's
breadth of vision and its record of groundbreaking innovation inspire
young people to pursue careers in the science, technology,
engineering and math fields.

"Every spinoff is a tangible reminder of NASA's return on investment
to the taxpayer," NASA Chief Technologist Mason Peck said. "Whether
we're developing technology to explore space or advance the nation's
aeronautics capabilities, great ideas from NASA have a way of
returning real benefits back to individuals, industries and our new
technology economy here on our home planet, today."

In Spinoff 2012, readers can discover:
-- A satellite tracking system pioneered by NASA that has helped
rescue more than 30,000 people in distress all over the world.
-- An X-ray fluorescence scanner that detects the elemental
composition of an object and is frequently used by museums to
authenticate works of art.
-- An open source platform co-developed by NASA that has spurred
enormous growth in the cloud computing industry.
-- A plug-and-play research platform that facilitates experiments
carried out in microgravity on the International Space Station for
customers ranging from high schools and universities to
pharmaceutical organizations around the globe.

The 2012 edition of NASA's flagship technology publication also
includes a special section on spinoffs in manufacturing. Together,
NASA and its partners have commercialized more than 350 documented
spinoffs relating to industrial productivity and manufacturing, from
advanced construction tools to industry-launching innovations in new
materials.

Profiles of NASA's research and development activities, education
efforts and partnership successes for the year also are featured in
Spinoff 2012.

Spinoff 2012 is available online at:

http://spinoff.nasa.gov

For more information about NASA's Office of the Chief Technologist,
visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/oct

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov


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