Table Of ContentS P I N O F F
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100 Years of
Powered Flight
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration
As we celebrate the “Centennial of Flight,” let us remember the contributions of
the Columbia STS-107 crew members.
Spinoff salutes the STS-107 crew who “dedicated their lives to pushing
scientific challenges for all of us here on Earth. They dedicated themselves to that
objective and did it with a happy heart, willingly and with great enthusiasm...”
—NASAAdministrator Sean O’Keefe, February 1, 2003
On the Cover:
From the first wind tunnel to the
latest aircraft and spacecraft designs,
the montage displays several of the
many contributions made by NASA
and its predecessor, NACA, during
the “100 Years of Powered Flight.”
Spinoff 2003
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Office of Aerospace Technology
Commercial Technology Division
Developed by
Publications and Graphics Department
NASA Center for AeroSpace Information (CASI)
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration
For sale by the U.S. Government Printing Office
Superintendent of Documents, Mail Stop: SSOP, Washington, DC 20402-9328
ISBN 0-16-067895-1
Foreword
I
n this “Centennial of Flight” year, it is worth noting • We launched several satellites and instruments that F
for all the amazing progress the age of aviation and are helping scientists better understand the dynamics o
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space flight has made possible, our gains have not of Earth’s climatic system and the possible causes and e
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come easily. Every step of the way, the technological consequences of global climate change.
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breakthroughs that have enabled people to fly around the Fittingly for an Agency that holds dear its aviation r
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world and brave explorers to extend our horizons heav- roots, we also continued to make significant invest-
enward, were the result of hard work, perseverance, and ments to improve the efficiency, safety, and security of
a willingness to overcome major setbacks. our Nation’s air transportation system. Spinoff 2003
On February 1, 2003, a terrible tragedy occurred when recognizes a number of exciting NASA aeronautics
the NASAfamily, our Nation, and the world lost seven research efforts that may well help revolutionize the
remarkable individuals, the heroic crew of the Space way we travel in the future.
As always, this publication highlights NASA’s
Shuttle Columbia.
extensive efforts to promote the transfer of aerospace
NASAis now working hard to return to space flight
technology to the private sector. Every day, in an
operations that are as safe as humanly possible. We are
astounding variety of ways, American lives are affect-
also continuing to pursue our mission goals of under-
ed positively by our Nation’s investment in NASA.
standing and protecting the home planet, exploring the
Such fields as agriculture, communications, computer
universe and searching for life, and inspiring the next
technology, environment and resources management,
generation of explorers. We hope our unceasing efforts
health and medicine, manufacturing, transportation,
to pioneer the future will provide a fitting tribute to the
and climate modeling have benefited greatly from
Columbia seven.
NASA-derived technologies.
This year, which marks NASA’s 45th year of con-
As the second century of flight gets underway, we
ducting aeronautics and space research and exploration
will strive mightily to continue providing tangible and
missions on behalf of the American public, is also note-
significant benefits to the American public. For at
worthy for some important advances:
NASA, we believe the sky and the heavens beyond are
• Our Expedition crews onboard the International Space
not limits, but rather vital venues for exploration and
Station continued to perform experiments on the orbit-
technological progress.
ing facility spanning several scientific disciplines.
From these experiments, scientists are: learning better
methods of drug testing; developing models that pre-
dict or explain the progress of disease; investigating
how to use microbes to make antibiotics; determining
how to improve manufacturing processes; and study-
ing changes in Earth climate, vegetation, and crops.
• We successfully launched our twin Mars Exploration
Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, which are now en
route for their January 2004 exploration of sites on the
Red Planet where water may have once flowed freely.
• We celebrated the Nobel Prize in Physics awarded
in December 2002 to astronomer Riccardo
Giacconi for his groundbreaking NASA-sponsored
research in X-ray astronomy.
• We initiated the NASA Explorer School Program to
provide fifth through eighth grade-level educators,
administrators, students, and their families the oppor-
tunity to engage in sustained involvement with
NASA’s research, discoveries, and missions. NASA
also began a program to recruit the first class
of Educator Astronauts, who in addition to performing
regular flight duties on multiple missions, will take
their classrooms into space to directly engage millions Sean O’Keefe
of school children in lessons about the wonders Administrator
of science. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
S P I N O F F 2 0 0 3 3
Introduction
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ASA’s enduring contributions in aerospace 1958 Space Act stipulation that NASA’s vast body of sci- I
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research and development trace their origin to entific and technical knowledge also “benefit mankind.” t
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the Wright Brothers’historic flight in December This year’s issue showcases innovations such as the o
1903. This year, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of cochlear implant in health and medicine, a cockpit d
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that flight and almost 10 decades of the National weather system in transportation, and a smoke mask ben- c
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Advisory Committee of Aeronautics’ (NACA) and efiting public safety; many other products are featured in i
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NASA’s spectacular accomplishments in space and here
these disciplines, as well as in the additional fields of n
on Earth. In 19l5, Congress established NACA“to super-
consumer/home/recreation, environment and resources
vise and direct the scientific study of the problems
management, computer technology, and industrial pro-
of flight, with a view to their practical solution.”
ductivity/manufactacturing technology.
Congress could not anticipate at that time the future
Also in this issue, we devote an entire section to
impact this legislation would have for every American
and the global community. NASA’s history in the field of flight and showcase
Today, NASAcontinues to reach milestones in space NASA’s newest enterprise dedicated to education. The
exploration with the Hubble Telescope, Earth-observing Education Enterprise will provide unique teaching and
systems, the Space Shuttle, the Stardust spacecraft, the learning experiences for students and teachers at all lev-
Chandra X-Ray Observatory, the International Space els in science, technology, engineering, and mathemat-
Station, the Mars rovers, and experimental research air-
ics. The Agency also is committed, as never before, to
craft—these are only a few of the many initiatives that
engaging parents and families through NASA’s educa-
have grown out of NASA engineering know-how to
tional resources, content, and opportunities. NASA’s cat-
drive the Agency’s missions. The technical expertise
alyst to intensify its focus on teaching and learning
gained from these programs has transferred into partner-
springs from our mission statement: “to inspire the next
ships with academia, industry, and other Federal agen-
cies, ensuring America stays capable and competitive. generation of explorers … as only NASAcan.”
With Spinoff 2003, we once again highlight the many NASAhas proven in the past that it is up to the task
partnerships with U.S. companies that are fulfilling the and that it is ready for the future.
Dr. Robert L. Norwood Dr. Adena Williams Loston
Director, Commercial Technology Division Associate Administratorfor Education
National Aeronautics and Space Administration National Aeronautics and Space Administration
S P I N O F F 2 0 0 3 5
Spinoff developments highlighted in this publication are based on information
provided by secondary users of aerospace technology, individuals, and manufac-
turing concerns who acknowledge that aerospace technology contributed wholly or
in part to development of the product or process described. Publication herein does
not constitute NASAendorsement of the product or process, nor confirmation of
manufacturers’performance claims related to the particular spinoff development.
Table of Contents
Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 T
a
b
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 l
e
o
Partnership Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 f
C
Health and Medicine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 o
n
Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 t
e
n
Public Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 t
s
Consumer/Home/Recreation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Environment and Resources Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Computer Technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Industrial Productivity/Manufacturing Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
One Hundred Years of Powered Flight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
The NASA Education Enterprise:
Inspiring the Next Generation of Explorers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Partnership Successes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Technology Transfer Network and Affiliations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
S P I N O F F 2 0 0 3 7
