Nissan Celebrates Technology from Space
This month, the world celebrated the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 and the first moon landing. Some of the best technology on Earth was developed for or tested in space, and Nissan decided to honor the first humans on the moon by showing what NASA’s technology has become.
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When humans escape the atmosphere, it’s not just for a good view. Astronauts often run experiments, including observing and encouraging plant growth. LED lights are used to give light to the growing vegetation orbiting the world, and now you can find the special bulbs in your upgraded headlights and taillights.
Another physical car component that came from the stars is heat-resistant brakes. The space shuttles had to develop a coating for its tiles so they could reflect the heat from re-entering Earth’s atmosphere. Nissan and other automakers took that composite material and used it when making its brakes so it can put up with heat better, last longer, and bring cars safely to a stop.
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We are all counting the days until our cars can drive themselves (and we can catch up on Netflix or reading behind the wheel), and many systems that autonomous cars possible use radar to see the world. Radar might not exist without space travel because it was developed into the technology it is today when it was refined to guide satellites through space. The GPS system that you use to find your way around town wasn’t just used by the space program, it wouldn’t exist without satellites orbiting the earth to guide it.
We’ve barely scratched the surface of cool car tech that’s come from the space program. Take a look at Nissan’s infographic below for complete details.
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