When most people think of NASA, they picture rockets, astronauts, and the Moon. But behind the scenes, a group of inventors is quietly rewriting the rules of what’s possible — on Earth, in orbit, and beyond. Their groundbreaking inventions eventually become technology available for industry, helping to shape new products and services that improve life around the globe.

Instructors across the country are transforming higher education with ground-breaking tech concepts from NASA. To capture their invaluable experience and advice, NASA’s Technology Transfer program hosts the Technology Transfer University (T2U) Innovation Series webinars featuring innovative instructors who use NASA-developed technology concepts to enrich their students’ academic experience.

When working conditions in a warehouse are risky or a toxic spill is particularly hazardous for cleanup crews, a robot designed to perform those risky tasks could keep people safe and work schedules on track. But the technology development for specialized robotics can be time-consuming and cost-prohibitive, so many ideas never make it off the page. In space, though, robotics are often a necessity, and some of that technology makes its way into hazardous environments on Earth.

Unlike humans, with our mere five senses, mechanical systems can be rigged to sense just about anything, at any threshold, often in environments people couldn’t endure. NASA uses sensors to monitor conditions ranging from the interior of a jet engine to the vacuum of space, and they measure anything from wind currents to trace gases.  

With a shared commitment to fostering U.S. economic growth that benefits the American public, NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate and the Department of Commerce’s U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen collaboration in transferring federally-developed technology into the private sector, known as tech transfer. 

For over two decades, Paul Gradl, now a principal propulsion engineer, has been inventing solutions to address the challenges of space travel. He started as an intern and now holds five patents – three of which are licensed by commercial industry.

Innovations for space lead to new technologies on Earth supporting health and wellness – from cancer detection and treatment to surgical cameras and ai