Abdelrahman
The newest installment of NASA’s Spinoff publication, which showcases the successful application of agency technologies in the commercial realm, is now accessible online.
For nearly a quarter of a century, NASA has facilitated crews working in low Earth orbit to explore the space environment and conduct research that propels deep space exploration forward. Astronauts on the International Space Station have gathered invaluable insights and tested numerous innovative technologies. This pioneering work leads to continuous advancements that enhance everyday life on Earth, all of which are highlighted in NASA’s annual publication.
“Our endeavors in space have yielded navigational tools, life-saving medical innovations, and improved software systems that enrich life on our planet,” stated Clayton Turner, Associate Administrator of the Space Technology Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters. “The technologies we create today not only simplify life on Earth but also lay the groundwork for a sustainable presence on the Moon and ambitious missions to Mars.”
The 2025 Spinoff publication features over 40 instances of NASA technology being integrated into commercial products, including:
- A platform that allows industry to conduct research on the space station, leading to the cultivation of high-quality human heart tissue, knee cartilage, and pharmaceutical crystals that can be developed on Earth for new medical applications.
- An electrostatic spraying technology that enables gravity-free irrigation of plants and is now utilized in sanitation, agriculture, and food safety.
- “Antigravity” treadmills designed to aid individuals with diverse conditions in walking or running for exercise, originating from efforts to enhance astronauts’ fitness in a weightless environment.
- Nutritional health supplements initially developed to maintain astronauts’ well-being during extended space missions.
Nasa’s ongoing efforts to advance technology and research in low Earth orbit aim to establish a long-term presence on the Moon, with forthcoming lunar endeavors already generating benefits on Earth. For instance, Spinoff 2025 highlights a company that developed 3D printing techniques for constructing lunar habitats, which are now being leveraged to create large structures on our planet. Another team of researchers focusing on using fungi to build Moon structures is currently marketing specially cultivated mushrooms while planning to create homes on Earth using this innovative concept.
Spinoff technologies not only offer groundbreaking solutions but also hold commercial value that serves the greater good. Additional remarkable features of Spinoff 2025 include quality control processes inspired by artificial intelligence developed for Mars rover navigation, innovations in origami based on mathematical principles for lasers and optical computing, and companies poised to spearhead the development of hydrogen-based energy systems, building upon NASA’s legacy of utilizing liquid hydrogen for rocket propulsion.
“I’ve found that it’s nearly impossible to foresee how space technology will be adopted in commercial settings,” remarked Dan Lockney, the Technology Transfer program executive at NASA Headquarters. “What I can confidently assert is that NASA’s innovations will continue to evolve and translate into new technologies, as our mission is to advance our objectives while enhancing the American economy.”
This publication also highlights 20 technologies available for licensing, which hold the potential for commercial use. Be sure to explore the “Spinoffs of Tomorrow” section for further details.
Spinoff is a component of NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate and its Technology Transfer program, dedicated to uncovering broad and creative applications for NASA-developed technology through partnerships and licensing arrangements to ensure that the agency’s investments benefit the nation and the world.
To read the latest issue of Spinoff, visit:
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Jasmine Hopkins
Headquarters, Washington
321-432-4624
jasmine.s.hopkins@nasa.gov
