10 Surprising Ways NASA Technology Has Improved Life On Earth

NASA's primary focus is the cosmos, but the space agency has a surprising and significant impact on everyday technologies we use on Earth.

NASA, in many ways, is America's research laboratory. Since 1976, the NASA publication Spinoff has profiled nearly 2,000 space technologies that have made their way -- in one way or another -- into the private sector, including baby formula, swimsuit designs, Dustbuster cleaners and protective firefighter gear.

In celebration of Spinoff’s 40th year, the agency took a look back at what it says are the top 40 technologies that have had the greatest impact on Earth. Below, NASA explains how 10 of these life-changing innovations came straight from the heavens. 

 

Surprised? There's plenty more where that came from.

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