12 Everyday Inventions We Owe to Space Travel—Celebrating the International Day of Human Space Flight
From cordless drills to GPS and memory foam, space travel has quietly transformed everyday life on Earth in ways you’d never expect.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
Space exploration isn’t solely about rockets and far-off worlds—it’s the behind-the-scenes engine that drives many of the mundane comforts we all enjoy. Technologies created for astronauts have given us revolutionary innovations such as memory foam mattresses, GPS, and lifesaving medical technology. Commemorating human space flight is celebrating how reaching for the stars has made life better, safer, and more intelligent on our own planet.
1. Memory Foam
Image from LinkedIn
First created by NASA in the 1960s to enhance the cushioning of seats and crash protection for astronauts, memory foam now supports everything from mattresses to auto seats. Memory foam conforms to your body shape through heat and pressure, offering support and comfort. What started on space shuttles is now your ticket to a good night’s sleep.
2. Scratch-Resistant Lenses
Image from Pelini Eyecare
NASA required sturdy, unbreakable plastic for helmet visors worn by astronauts—something that would withstand impacts and scratches. That led to creating a special coating now applied to eyeglasses and sunglasses. The next time you fall and your glasses live, thank the space program.
3. Cordless Tools
Image from Powerhouse Tools
NASA partnered with Black & Decker to develop battery-powered instruments that astronauts could use on the Moon, where it is not possible to plug in. The technology created here paved the way for cordless drills, vacuums, and even power screwdrivers. Each time you pick up a cordless device, you’re employing technology designed to work in zero gravity.
4. Infrared Ear Thermometers
Image from Philippine Medic Rescue
Space technology used to determine the temperature of stars led to the invention of non-contact ear thermometers. These thermometers employ infrared sensors that can quickly and safely read body temperature—a space solution that’s now a parent’s best friend.
5. Water Purification Systems
Image from Stan’s Heating and Air Conditioning
Astronauts require potable drinking water on spacecraft, which motivated sophisticated purification systems based on iodine and microfilters. These same systems are currently employed around the world in disaster relief areas and remote communities. Space exploration transformed filthy water into potable water—on our planet and elsewhere.
6. Satellite Navigation (GPS)
Image from Wikipedia
Whereas GPS was a military discovery, space exploration hastened the deployment of satellites and accurate tracking. Spaceflight technologies like atomic clocks and orbit adjustments made GPS dependable for civilians. GPS today assists you in navigating traffic, monitoring fitness, and even having food delivered to your doorstep.
7. Freeze-Dried Food
Image from Raw Bites PH
NASA created freeze-drying technology to keep food fresh without weight gain or nutrition loss. This produced a long shelf life and simple rehydration—ideal for space travel and backpacking. Your instant coffee and trail meals owe their origins to the space race.
8. Fire-Resistant Fabrics
Image from Wikipedia
Following the Apollo 1 fire disaster, NASA created fireproof materials to shield astronauts. The materials were later used to make firefighter apparel, racecar suits, and military uniforms. Space safety protocols literally defined the garments that save lives.
9. Insulin Pumps
Image from Gluroo
Space technology applied to tracking astronauts’ vital signs contributed to telemetry systems that drive insulin pumps used today. These transportable devices enable diabetics to control blood sugar levels continuously. Due to space technology, patients become more mobile and independent on the ground.
10. CAT Scanners
Image from Wikipedia
NASA’s efforts in applying digital signal processing to improve photographs from space missions led to the creation of CAT scans and MRI imaging. These technologies changed diagnostics in hospitals across the globe. Space imagery refined our power to peer into the human body.
11. Temper Foam (Shock Absorbing)
Image from Galleon.PH
Originally designed for space seats, it absorbs impact and is now commonly used for helmets, padding, and even prosthetics. It minimizes sports and accident injuries. For lift-off, it is now safeguarding lives in play and rehabilitation.
12. Weather Forecasting
Image from Britannica
Weather satellites, funded and sustained due to space missions, provide us with live information on storms, climate, and environmental change. The precision of contemporary forecasting would be out of the question without space-based observation. Human space flight made our perspective on Earth clearer and more life-saving than ever.