Space Products & Innovation
Science, Biotechnology, and Health Care
Phoenix Rises Above Mars
The first mission intended to “touch and examine water on Mars,” was launched by NASA in August of 2007. The Martian probe Phoenix was scheduled to land in May 2008 near the Martian North Pole. From this location, the Phoenix mission involves direct observation of the water cycle, assessing the history of water on Mars and its effect on weather.
Land a Lunar Rover, Win Money
A new X PRIZE competition, sponsored by Google, began in 2007. The Google Lunar X PRIZE is a $30 million competition designed to stimulate entrepreneurial activity and investment. The prize will be awarded to the first team able to land a privately funded robotic rover on the lunar surface capable of roaming 500 meters and sending still images, video, and other data back to Earth.
Deep Space Probes from the Far East
In 2007, a number of robotic probes and planetary landers were launched as several nations developed their space exploration programs. Among these launches were the first lunar orbiters from Japan and China.
Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Testing in the ISS
Commercial space-based biotechnology and pharmaceuticals manufacturing is in a very early developmental phase. A U.S. based corporation, SPACEHAB, announced plans to pursue manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and materials on the ISS.
Eye-tracker for Surgeons
University of Pittsburgh researchers have found another solution to the problem of limited bandwidth in telemedicine. A device that tracks the focal point of a surgeon’s eyes has enabled the team to isolate the area of interest in an image.
Sending Sonograms Through Space
New technologies for decreasing the bandwidth requirements for telemedicine were developed in 2007. More bandwidth, or more efficient use of available bandwidth capacity, opens more types of medical care to telemedicine applications.
How Bad is Pollution in China?
ESA satellites have been used to monitor air pollution levels in a number of studies, including the measurement of gaseous pollutants in India, and nitrogen dioxide emissions during a traffic restriction event in Beijing, China.
Space Sensors Measure Aerosol Concentrations
In 2007, researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health tested the ability of satellite sensors to measure ground-level aerosol concentrations. Aerosols include the smallest debris resulting from burning fossil fuels. These small particles can be the most dangerous to public health because they are easily absorbed into the blood stream through the lungs.
Helping the Blind Get Around
A prototype project in Europe uses GPS signals to guide visually impaired individuals to their destinations. Tested in Madrid, this European Space Agency (ESA) project — developed in partnership with the Spanish firm GMV Sistemas and the Spanish National Organization of the Blind — uses a handheld device with headphones to give auditory directions to a visually impaired user.
2005 Space Budget Allocations
Civil space programs have major science directorates that guide programmatic decisions. Divisions for Solar System Exploration, Structure & Evolution of the Universe, and Astronomical Search for Origins are all found in NASA’s $## billion 2005 space science budget.