5 automotive innovations powered by NASA space technology

Space technology developed by NASA for research within the agency has found its way into the automotive industry and even into NASCAR. In the future, NASA's work with the automotive industry and automakers could change the way we get from one place to another. Here are five automotive innovations that NASA has already driven.

1. NASA standards help design more comfortable car seats

Thanks to NASA, drivers may have fewer complaints about the comfort of their driving seats.

When astronauts boarded the first space station, NASA studied the natural postures their bodies assumed in microgravity. Initial and subsequent research has informed product design for everything from workspaces on the International Space Station to the interior of the Orion spacecraft to comfortable new car seats here on Earth.

The natural postures shown in this image are based on measurements of 12 people aboard Skylab.

　　Image credit: NASA

Nissan Motor Company used NASA research as a starting point for developing a new driver's seat. Just like astronauts, car drivers need to be safe and comfortable so they can operate the car effectively for long periods of time.

After years of research and positive results in the early 2000s, the automaker debuted seats derived from NASA standards in the 2013 Altima. Today, the design is used in a variety of Nissan models.

NASA studied the natural postures of astronauts in microgravity aboard the first space station, Skylab, as shown here.

　　Image credit: NASA

2. Spacecraft tire sensors can warn drivers of tire leaks

A flat tire always catches drivers off guard, but now it should be a rare occurrence, thanks to a tiny sensor that lights up a dashboard warning sign when tire pressure drops.

Proper tire pressure is critical to a safe landing of the space shuttle, but in the early days of the shuttle program, there was no good way to accurately measure pressure in flight. While exploring other solutions, NASA contracted a company to build a specific tire pressure sensor for the space shuttle.

The technology converts pressure into electrical resistance and generates real-time readings. After the company delivered the device to NASA, they applied the sensor to cars, and now the United States has introduced laws requiring a pressure sensor to be installed in every car tire.

The Space shuttle Atlantis approaches touchdown on Runway 33 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

　　Image credit: NASA/Tony Gray/Tom Farrar

3. NASA-funded research leads to new applications of nanotechnology to repair engine damage in cars and trucks

Nanoparticles of car engine oil look like under an electron microscope. The sticky sides of the particles form layers until there is no more friction.

　　Image credit: TriboTEX

Friction causes wear and tear on spacecraft components and car engines. Lubricants that reduce friction can only delay and minimize this inevitable damage. NASA is very interested in a special material that can restore damaged parts to their original state without replacing them. Therefore, NASA has funded related research using nanotechnology.

The goal is to use existing liquid lubricants to bring nanoparticles to the points of friction to fill in tiny cracks or wear sites. In addition to keeping parts in good repair, this lubricant with nanomaterials can also extend the life of the system. Preliminary research has found that the best material currently is a ceramic material that is effective, durable and non-toxic. After verification, this technology, which is still in the early research stage, is not suitable for space, but the relevant private sector is still continuing to develop it. Today, thousands of cars and trucks use this lubricant formula to keep engine parts in good condition.

4. NASA technology protects race car drivers from heat and headaches

When race car drivers drive their cars at extremely high speeds, their seats are heated to high temperatures in a variety of ways, with temperatures in the cockpit of a modified car soaring to 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius). This extreme heat can be transmitted through the engine firewall, transmission tunnel and floor pan.

When the space shuttle enters the Earth's atmosphere, it will experience extremely high temperature challenges, up to 3000 degrees Fahrenheit (1650 degrees Celsius), so special materials are needed for protection. Based on this special material of the space shuttle, a company has created a full-coverage thermal insulation kit to protect race car drivers from high temperatures while driving.

Another health risk of driving a racing car is the fumes from burning gasoline, which can cause headaches, nausea and dizziness. The engineers who make racing cars have used a NASA space technology to create a special filter that removes 99% of air particles, providing drivers with fresh, clean air.

Astronaut Andrew Feustel watches race cars at Daytona International Speedway in 2008.

　　Image credit: NASA

5. Space technology can help self-driving cars navigate the roads

Just as lunar landers and Mars rovers need eyes to guide them safely around rocks and crevices in unfamiliar terrain, self-driving cars must navigate safely around unforeseen obstacles.

Related NASA space technology—the same lasers used to land on the moon and artificial intelligence used to navigate other planets—is making self-driving cars safer here on Earth. Such systems could revolutionize the way cars navigate rush-hour traffic and avoid collisions.

NASA funds research on deep space computing by Boston-based Neurala. In addition to being used in space, the software can also be used on Earth. The screenshot above shows a view of a self-driving car, and the related services come from Neurala's software. Cars equipped with this software can automatically identify pedestrians, cyclists, trucks, etc. on the street in real time.

Image source: Neurala