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q (NASA-NP-214) SPINOFF, 1994 N95-21893 (NASA) 130 p Unclas H1/85 0039167 ORIGINAL PAGE COLOR PHOTOGRAPHS f a ee ee ee Spinoff 1994 National Aeronautics and Space Administration | Office of Space Access and Technology Commercial Development and Technology Transfer Division By James J. Haggerty ; National Aeronautics and Space Administration |; 4 , 4 4 sole! ¢ af % ‘ ‘ a ied ~ ieee T 2—». iH Z For sale by the U.S. Government Printing Office 5 Superintendent of Documents, Mail Stop: SSOP, Washington, DC 20402-9328 t ISBN 0-16-045368-2 - n today's global economic environment, lt is a proud record, but we must do better. technology is one of the strongest curren- We have to stress revolution, not evolution, in cre- cies. Over the past three decades, more of ating new NASA technology. More and more, we the world's nations have recognized the link are going to put out ambitious guidelines for our between technological prowess and econom- missions and let industry tell us what cutting-edge ic advancement. They have invested large-scale technology is needed to accomplish them. We will resources in upgrading their technical capabilities, give our field centers and project managers greater and in many cases, their efforts have been very flexibility in funding technology transfer opportuni- fruitful. So today, international economic competi- ties, and will work to make sure promising tech- tion is intense; it is a global engagement whose nologies translate more quickly and effectively into rewards are greater market shares and improved marketable products and processes. economic status for the successful contestants. These new approaches forecast a new, broader The United States, long the world's leader in role for NASA, a new technological direction and a science and technology, must meet the challenges new way of doing business. We wili emphasize of increasingly competent competitors. The route research and development partnerships with the is clear: We must advance our own capabiliiies to private sector. We will consider the economic produce superior products for the global market- potential of each technology and aim for its com- place. It is vital to the nation's economic health mercialization from the time an R&D project is and wealth that we do so. initiated. The Clinton Administration is investing heavily We have already made a start toward that in science and technology development, coupled goal. We have developed and are implementing with an effort to stimulate partnerships with indus- an agenda for change that embraces many new try that promote private sector investment in tech- mechanisms to foster commercialization of NASA nological innovation. And NASA, as always, is technology. leading the way. As a consequence of these changing times, Since its inception in 1958, NASA has been a NASA is committed to expanding its technology prime source of much of the nation's new technolo- transfer efforts in addition to its traditional aero- gy. The agency's accomplishments in technology nautics and space missions. The remarkable development have been buttressed by an effective successes NASA has achieved in those areas lend effort to promote re-use, or secondary application, confidence that the new emphasis on technology of NASA-developed technologies by the private commercialization will succeed as well, to the sector. enormous benefit of the nation's economy. The results are impressive. Literally thou- sands of "spinoff products and processes have emerged as secondary applications of the technological treasure chest NASA has built in meeting its challenging missions. Collectively, these tech- Daniel S. Goldin nology transfers constitute an immense contribu- Administrator tion to the U.S. economy. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contents Foreword Aerospace Aims Trailblazing Future Flightc.ece .eeeeeer.eeeveeee eeeeee 6 Probing the Universe ..............0....0.00.ccccceeees scapenviuseepseeanseveesinnsees 16 Space OperariOns ...............ceeeececessseceseeseceeessecsssevesceeeeseeeeeeeeees 26 Technology Twice Used Pi ccccceneasasssessunsoniesintecsicsneseceteyeerensteuyetoaiavinubnessivtosinesinioiones 38 Health and Medicine .......................:cccscccssssesssesesssersecssessesesseeenes 42 Environment and Resources Management.......................c00eec0e00e 48 IIT WNIT ccicosssinsisneieseeintnthdeesanseineasinaobbniensaiesdetuanpenersunieinasnmetiiie 66 Consumer/Home/Recreaton ...................cccececceeeesceeeeeeeeceeesseeeeeees 74 PID cacaieccccseestesnsissscisiandcnsssnseevasesbeieemermmeutinipnianbeheined 90 Computer Technology .....................ccccccccceesscecesseseeseeeseeeeseeereeseenes 94 Industrial Productivity/Manufacturing Technology..................... 104 Technology Transfer Putting technology tO WOPK...............cc.cccccccccecsssceeeeeneeeeeeeeeseeeens 118 PREGEBING PAGE BLANK NOT FILMED | Cover photo: © The Hale Observatories, Pasadena, CA — r o = ; : — w /) ay a 7 ar P“ Ja ati laDS ssagdsssecanee ? = _ a . Yerospace ‘\ims An illustrated summary of NASA’s major aeronautical and space programs, their goals and directions, their contributions to American scientific and technological growth, and their potential for practical benefit Trailblazing Future Flight n 1993. U.S. manufacturers produced more than $26 billion worth of civil aircraft and more than two-thirds of the total represented sales to foreign customers. That contribution to the U.S. economy underscores the vital impor- lance to the nation of high value civil aircraft sales. But although the production figures are impressive, they are nol as impressive as they once were: over the past quarter century, the U.S. has been slowly but steadily losing market share. Efforts to boost the competitiveness of The principal reason is intensifying competition from abroad, initially from the nations of Western Europe. more recently from new players in the global U.S. civil aircraft highlight examples of arena, such as Russia and its former Communist bloc allies, plus Japan and several industrially-emerging nations of the East. Eyeing the great potential benefits of the world civil aircraft market, all are investing substantially in NASA aeronautical research aeronautical technology development. The international market for civil aircraft over the next 20 years is variously estimated at $800 billion to $1 trillion. really staggering numbers that would entail production levels roughly double the average for the last 20 years. The ability of U.S. plane builders to maintain or increase their market share is a matter of consequence to the U.S. economy. Accordingly, NASA is increasing its level of aeronautical research and accelerating its efforts to transfer pertinent technology to the nation’s aircraft industry. The focal point of this effort is NASA's Advanced Subsonic Technology (AST) program, which seeks near term, high payoff technology advances that will increase the competitiveness of U.S. subsonic private and commercial aircraft, including airline transports, general aviation planes and rotorcraft. As part of the AST program, NASA is addressing the specific technological needs of short- haul civil aviation. which embraces two elements: general aviation aircraft and civil tiltrotor aircraft. General aviation, which includes private and commercial aircraft from the single pilot lightplane to business jets and commuter light transports, has been particularly hard hit by a declining market over the last 15 years. U.S. general aviation manufacturers produced only 850 airplanes in 1993, fewer than five percent of their peak (1978) output of 17.800 planes. General aviation manufacturing jobs are down to 50 percent of their peak level and the industry that once generated an annual trade surplus of $300 million now suffers a trade —_— deficit of more than $800 million a year. Under the direction of NASA’s Aeronautics Advisory Council, an industry/governmenV/academe General Aviation Task Force reviewed the status of the U.S. general aviation industry and — in February 1994 — recommended a balanced NASA general aviation technology advancement program addressing propulsion, noise and emissions, aeronautical systems, structures, and aero- dynamic technologies. In response to the task force reports, NASA has initiated a renewed and expanded effort involving technology development to improve the safety, utility, + environmental compatibility and affordability of general aviation aircraft. VASA technology in development suggests that the general aviation cockpit of the future might look like Research activities are headed by Langley Research Center and supported by this. Al the pilot's left is a single power lever that Lewis Research Center and Ames Research center. They center on three key replaces multiple levers in today’s cockpit. The areas: instrument panel features a wide screen flat panel © Cockpit systems, such as displays, controls and software, thal are more user- display that can show weather. Night routes, taxiing and other data. To the right. a smaller display pi friendly and cut the time needed to learn and maintain piloting skills. vides engine information and a simplified checklist Projected on the windscreen is a heads-up display e Low-cost design and manufacturing methods to make general aviation aircraft showing the best Night path. A communications svs- more affordable to purchase and operate. tem provices automated air traffic coordination © Quieter propulsion systems with reduced exhaust emissions, and cabins with improved comfort for both pilots and passengers. NASA also responded with an initiative to address concerns expressed by the general aviation industry. To ensure that industry needs are being addressed, and to maintain strong NASA involvement with industry and the Federal Aviation Administration, NASA is developing Joint Sponsored Research Agreements. These agreements provide a mechanism for making available NASA's “world class tools” —wind tunnels, simulators, computer codes for design and analysis, engine test cells and material property laboratories to the general aviation community. (Continued)