Space Technology Helps Save Lives on Earth

from the it's-about-time dept

Roland Piquepaille writes "Technology developed for space travel has been adapted for uses on Earth for a long time. But now, three articles report that some current customizations can save lives. For example, SPACE.com writes that space technology is entering hospitals. It says that a system originally intended to keep clean the space station Mir, and later the International Space Station (ISS), is now used in hospitals to build temporary 'clean rooms' -- virtually bacteria-free -- around patients. And a video infrared camera developed by NASA's JPL to study Earth is being modified into a brain scanning device searching for tumors. Elsewhere, National Geographic is saying that satellites are starting to aid earthquake predictions. And ESA's satellites are looking at the 'rogue' monster waves which have has sunk many of the 200 supertankers and container ships exceeding 200 meters in length during the last two decades. You need to read the articles mentioned above to realize how all these bleeding edge technologies can really help us on Earth, but if you have a limited time, please read my blog for selected excerpts and photos." NASA has always tried to make a big deal out of how their innovations later show up elsewhere, though some have suggested that they've overhyped this aspect of their research. Still, amusing to note these stories coming out just as a big battle is going on concerning NASA's budget.

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