Space Products & Innovation
Canada’s Biopsy Robot
Advances in robotics led by space programs are finding a wide array of uses in the medical field. In addition to the hospital QC Bot derived from the Mars rovers, a robot capable of performing biopsies for breast cancer has been developed and is entering clinical trials.
WISE Recruited to Search for Near Earth Objects (NEOs)
The search for potentially hazardous NEOs has increased since the incident at Chelyabinsk, and in June 2013, the 10,000th NEO was detected. NASA reactivated the WISE telescope in September to find new NEOs, aiming to discover 150 such objects by the end of the spacecraft’s life cycle.
Russia’s “In Earth” Asteroid
A meteor explosion over the Russian city of Chelyabinsk in February brought the danger of near Earth asteroids to the forefront of planetary defense. The asteroid was undetected until it entered Earth’s atmosphere, resulting in 1,200 people injured and millions of dollars in damages after exploding more than 32 kilometers (20 miles) above the Earth’s surface.
Imaging and Tracking Ship Movement
Ships are required to transmit information regarding their location through the Automatic Identification System (AIS), but this data can be falsified and the requirement is not universally enforced. Supplementing AIS data with visual satellite imagery can help security and intelligence officials more accurately track ship movements.
French Internet for the Military–From Space
National security has been a primary focus of government space activities for as long as the ability to build and operate satellites and other spacecraft has existed. Satellites can be used to generate detailed reconnaissance imagery and support communications with troops as they travel to distant and remote regions.
NASA Tech Helps Ease the Tension
Safety is also an important concern on offshore oil platforms. Engineers at NASA’s Johnson Space Center and Astro Technology have collaborated to address some of these dangers, including both worker safety and dangerous leaks into the surrounding environment.
Space Coatings Take Charge From Plastic Screens
Plastic computer screen covers are a common alternative to delicate glass in rugged industrial settings, but their tendency to transfer electrostatic charges can create a serious risk of explosions in the dusty atmosphere of mines.
Watch Your Late Train in Real-time
Noting that the complexity of tracking trains across an extensive national rail network is similar to that of monitoring and controlling a satellite in orbit, ESA contractor Elecnor Deimos envisaged a way to apply satellite tracking software to the Spanish rail system.
Tracking Shipping Containers From Space
The global coverage provided by space assets gives them a distinct advantage in applications related to largescale transportation and logistics. The customs and border control process of verifying cargo can lengthen the time required for cross-border shipments and complicate logistics.
Location Data Might Improve Athletic Performance
Scientific and technological advances from space have added a performance-improving tool to the arsenal of professional sports teams and training centers. Kinexon One is a new addition that promises to improve individual and team performance by providing highly accurate data of athlete movements during training. Smaller than a mobile phone, the device contains both inertial sensors and a GNSS receiver. The combination of location information from these two sources provides precise location tracking as athletes move.