Nasa Technology

Something that I only got interested in once I started my research was the way that Nasa has not just created exciting new technology that has made space travel possible, but also how there discoveries and research has impacted and helped everyday society, especially in the world of sports. 

Riblets, used on airplanes to increase aerodynamics and surface erosion, were originally invented Nasa. They look like small grooves down the side of the plane, no deeper than a scratch but are surprisingly effective. They then developed this ice into swimwear to act in the same way, helping the athletes improve their speed on average by 10/15%. I want to incorporate this into skiwear as I think they would help improve competitive skiers speeds. 

DLC is short for Diamond-like carbon, it is a chemical mixture originally used on the helmet of the space suit. It prevents scratches and small chips from developing on the screen but also stops water marks staining the glass. In Skiing this can be a real issue as it can hinder an athletes sight. 

There are many more examples of Nasa's work such as webcams inside the helmets, corrugated fabrics and shoes to enable movement, (this one in particular was used by NIKE, they use it in the heel of some of there trainers to allow movement around the ankles).

I'm really happy that I decided to look into the technological side of the Space suits and what Nasa have done for society, because it gives my project more depth behind it and can help me make something that not only looks good but also is practical and original, something that no-one has quite done before.