Frequently Asked Questions
What is a spinoff, and what is Spinoff?
A spinoff is a commercialized product that incorporates NASA technology or expertise. These include
products that:
products that:
- were designed for NASA use, to NASA specifications, and then commercialized;
- are developed as a result of a NASA-funded agreement or know-how gained during collaboration with NASA;
- incorporate NASA technology in their manufacturing process;
- receive significant contributions in design or testing from NASA laboratory personnel or facilities;
- are entrepreneurial endeavors by ex-NASA employees whose technical expertise was developed while employed by the agency;
- are developed using data or software made available by NASA.
Can I have a free print copy of Spinoff delivered to me?
At this time, we are not printing or shipping new Spinoff editions. For the latest Spinoff content, check out our newsletter.
Can I subscribe to Spinoff?
For the latest Spinoff content, check out our newsletter.
Can I request back issues of Spinoff?
Back issues were printed in limited numbers. As a result, we are unable to fulfill requests for previous editions. For the latest Spinoff content, check out our newsletter.
Does NASA endorse spinoff products?
No. While many commercial products are derived from NASA technology, NASA does not endorse these products; nor does NASA confirm manufacturers’ performance claims related to any particular spinoff development. See our full legal disclaimer here.
Can my company’s product be in Spinoff?
Yes! If you sell a product that utilizes NASA-derived technology, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact us at spinoff@nasa.gov.
How can I purchase [spinoff product]?
NASA does not manufacture, market, or sell commercial products. If you would like to purchase a product you see in Spinoff, please contact the manufacturer directly.
What are some of the most popular spinoffs?
NASA celebrated 40 years of Spinoff by publishing a gallery of 40 spinoffs that have had the biggest impact on Earth. You can also explore decades of spinoffs you may encounter in your daily life using NASA's interactive Home & City web site.
Did NASA invent or help create . . .
Memory foam?
Yes. Memory foam (also known as temper foam) was developed under a NASA contract in the late 1960s that improved seat cushioning and crash protection for airline pilots and passengers.
Invisible braces?
Yes. The first invisible braces were created using a type of transparent ceramic originally developed by NASA.
Scratch-resistant lenses?
Yes. The first scratch-resistant lenses were developed using a NASA-created coating, originally designed to protect equipment and helmet visors in space.
Emergency blankets?
Yes. Heat-reflective emergency blankets (often called first-aid blankets, space blankets, and thermal blankets) are made from thin sheets of plastic coated with a metallic reflecting agent first developed by NASA.
MRI machines?
No. NASA did not invent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology, but it has contributed to several advances in MRI machines over the years.
Cordless power tools?
No. The first cordless power tools were unveiled by Black & Decker in 1961. Later, the company worked as a subcontractor on a NASA project to design power tools for use in space, and as a result of this work created multiple spinoffs. Cordless power tool technology, however, predates NASA’s involvement.
Solar panels?
No. Photovoltaic cells have been in existence since the 19th century, and solar-panel technology has been continually developed since then. Nevertheless, NASA has made extensive use of solar panels in many of its missions, and the agency has contributed to a number of advances in solar-power technologies over the years, which have resulted in many spinoffs.
Barcodes?
No. NASA developed a special type of barcode for inventory of space-shuttle and other space-system components, but this should not be mistaken for the original barcode found on consumer goods today.
Quartz clocks?
No. The first quartz clock dates back to 1927. In the late 1960s, NASA partnered with a company to create a highly accurate quartz clock; however, while the clock was commercially available for a few years, it is no longer sold.
Smoke detectors?
No. NASA’s connection with modern smoke detectors is that it made one with adjustable sensitivity as a part of a Skylab project. There was a spinoff smoke detector sold by Honeywell for some years, but it is no longer available.
Tang?
No. General Foods developed Tang in 1957. Astronaut John Glenn consumed Tang while in orbit in 1962, resulting in heightened public awareness of the drink and its association with space.
Teflon?
No. Teflon was invented by DuPont in 1938. NASA’s use of it in heat shields, space suits, and cargo hold liners resulted in heightened public awareness of the material.
Velcro?
No. Velcro was invented in the 1940s by a Swiss engineer. Its extensive use during the Apollo missions to anchor equipment for astronauts’ convenience has led to its association with NASA.
Yes. Memory foam (also known as temper foam) was developed under a NASA contract in the late 1960s that improved seat cushioning and crash protection for airline pilots and passengers.
Invisible braces?
Yes. The first invisible braces were created using a type of transparent ceramic originally developed by NASA.
Scratch-resistant lenses?
Yes. The first scratch-resistant lenses were developed using a NASA-created coating, originally designed to protect equipment and helmet visors in space.
Emergency blankets?
Yes. Heat-reflective emergency blankets (often called first-aid blankets, space blankets, and thermal blankets) are made from thin sheets of plastic coated with a metallic reflecting agent first developed by NASA.
MRI machines?
No. NASA did not invent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology, but it has contributed to several advances in MRI machines over the years.
Cordless power tools?
No. The first cordless power tools were unveiled by Black & Decker in 1961. Later, the company worked as a subcontractor on a NASA project to design power tools for use in space, and as a result of this work created multiple spinoffs. Cordless power tool technology, however, predates NASA’s involvement.
Solar panels?
No. Photovoltaic cells have been in existence since the 19th century, and solar-panel technology has been continually developed since then. Nevertheless, NASA has made extensive use of solar panels in many of its missions, and the agency has contributed to a number of advances in solar-power technologies over the years, which have resulted in many spinoffs.
Barcodes?
No. NASA developed a special type of barcode for inventory of space-shuttle and other space-system components, but this should not be mistaken for the original barcode found on consumer goods today.
Quartz clocks?
No. The first quartz clock dates back to 1927. In the late 1960s, NASA partnered with a company to create a highly accurate quartz clock; however, while the clock was commercially available for a few years, it is no longer sold.
Smoke detectors?
No. NASA’s connection with modern smoke detectors is that it made one with adjustable sensitivity as a part of a Skylab project. There was a spinoff smoke detector sold by Honeywell for some years, but it is no longer available.
Tang?
No. General Foods developed Tang in 1957. Astronaut John Glenn consumed Tang while in orbit in 1962, resulting in heightened public awareness of the drink and its association with space.
Teflon?
No. Teflon was invented by DuPont in 1938. NASA’s use of it in heat shields, space suits, and cargo hold liners resulted in heightened public awareness of the material.
Velcro?
No. Velcro was invented in the 1940s by a Swiss engineer. Its extensive use during the Apollo missions to anchor equipment for astronauts’ convenience has led to its association with NASA.
