Space Technology Commercialization
in the Medical Field
by Carl G. Ray
Commercial Technology Executive
NASA Headquarters
TODAY, NASA IS WORKING HARDER
THAN ever to ensure that the products of its technology and research
reach U.S. companies to strengthen the nation's economy. With a
proactive and focused program of distribution and outreach activities
resulting in the application of NASA-generated technologies, the
space agency is leading the way for the development of commercially
available products and services. For more than 30 years now, the
commercial use of NASA technology and its impact on the economy
and global competition continue to be primary goals of NASA's Commercial
Technology program. NASA's Commercial Technology program continues
to focus its efforts on the transfer of our technologies into state-of-the-art
products and services.
This special issue of Aerospace Technology Innovation focuses
on "space technology commercialization in the medical field." The
issue includes examples of how NASA technology is contributing to
the medical industry with evolutionary innovations and development.
The medical field has significantly benefited from NASA research—for
example, research areas on how space flight affects the cardiovascular
system. On Earth, cardiovascular disease is prioritized as a leading
cause of death in the United States. Techniques derived from this
space research have led to more sophisticated, less costly and less
painful methods of treatment. We have previously reported on breakthrough
discoveries in the understanding and treatment of the cardiovascular
system, which have proven fruitful in significantly enhancing this
area of medicine.
This issue of Innovation is also focused on several examples
of cutting-edge technology applied to common but important products
and services that have and will improve our health and well-being.
In this edition, we show examples of NASA research and contributions
from the Space Shuttle and the Russian space station Mir,
as well as links to future medical research aboard the International
Space Station. But more importantly, we hope to provide some knowledge
of how these significant impacts of NASA development will eventually
contribute to the medical industry.
While we have assembled examples in such illness areas as cancer
(including breast biopsy), diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis
and other diseases, it is also a focus of this issue to provide
an understanding of the commitment of NASA's Commercial Technology
program to spur the enhancement of today's medical industry with
tomorrow's discoveries and innovations. We also show how the success
of NASA's research and development programs, coupled with the discipline
of technology transfer, is transitioning innovative results into
state-of-the-art products and services. Such products and services
provide the catalyst for "spinoff" technologies and progress that
improve our everyday lives.
Get more information on medical-related NASA spinoffs by visiting
the Spinoff web site at http://www.sti.nasa.gov/tto/spinoff.html
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