NASA Spinoff Magazine

I got my free copy of Spinoff Magazine in the mail today in a big orange envelope with the NASA logo on it. I told my wife it was my astronaut recruitment letter. She didn't believe me, but was interested as I pulled out the shiny thick glossy book/magazine that detailed the highlights of the spinoff related activities, products, and services that NASA has engaged in for 2007. About two weeks ago I requested it from NASA's Website.

Some of the more interesting items in my view include:

• acne killing machine (with a "herpetic lesions" killing variation in the wings)
• advanced thermal imaging to catch terrorists and see through smoke better
• non-invasive heart disease monitor (easier to use... more used... more detections... more lives saved)
• Steel and concrete sealant
• device that makes electric motor startups gradually build up and not make as much wear and tear on the machine. (this kind of thing really adds up to billions of dollars of benefit when you think of all the machines that use electric motors lasting longer.)
• Paper thin flexible heaters that come in any size and shape
• super hard steel (I could think of a few uses for that...)
• Insulating house paint (think heating bills and carbon emissions across the globe)
• Environmentally friendly lubricants for everything from car hydraulic fluid to fishing reel lubricant

This list is my highlights list of NASA's highlights list for 2007. It shouldn't be too long before you see some of this in your sky mall catalog.

In any case, Tang, satellites, Velcro, and cordless tools don't impress people anymore. Get your copy of Spinoff today and really have something to say the next time someone says "Why would we spend all that money in space when we have problems here on earth?" You tell them why.

Florida's KSC Slated to be Energy Research Hub

As another NASA related spinoff application, a local bill in Florida would make the KSC a research center for an "Advanced Combustion Energy Center." This program would partner the center with local industry and academia to perform the research.

NASA Posts New Spinoff Web Feature

NASA's website now includes an interactive feature that identifies many spin-offs in our cities and in our homes. Check it out and keep these things in mind next time you send a letter or speak with your congressman. Aside from household items, NASA highlights spin-offs in air travel, automotive, sports and recreation, public safety, medical, manufacturing, grocery, and coastal applications.

Go to the site, pick what you are most passionate about, and then let your congressman know why investment in space technology has a return on investment worth the cost.

If you want even more detail, then search for a specific spin-off application.