Dr. Sarath Raj, from the School of Engineering, Architecture, and Interior Design at Amity University Dubai, recently published an article in The National highlighting how innovations from space technology have reshaped the fashion and food industries.
Originally designed to enhance astronaut safety and mission efficiency, many space technologies—known as “spin-offs”—are now used in everyday items. Dr. Raj discusses how memory foam, initially developed to cushion astronauts during take-off, is now a popular material in footwear and protective gear, offering enhanced comfort and impact resistance. Similarly, scratch-resistant coatings that were once applied to astronaut helmets now protect everyday sunglasses and watch faces, increasing durability.
In fashion, lightweight materials like aerogels—designed for spacesuits—provide warmth without bulk, making them ideal for winter jackets and outdoor wear. NASA’s temperature-regulating fabrics are now popular in sportswear, while smart textiles could soon monitor health and fitness.
Space technology has also impacted food preservation, with freeze-drying and vacuum-sealing methods developed for space missions now widely used for camping meals and emergency supplies. Additionally, LED lights originally created to grow plants in space have inspired indoor vertical farming, allowing fresh produce to be grown in smaller spaces.
Dr. Raj’s work emphasises how space technology continues to bring innovative solutions to our daily lives.
Here's the link to the main article: From food to fashion: How space technology is being used in everyday life
