Did you know the foam insulation used to protect space shuttle’s external tank—the same insulation that fell off during Columbia’s final liftoff resulting in the shuttle’s demise—has ironically played a roll in prosthetic technology?
NASA recommended this light and virtually indestructible material to the O&P industry as an alternative to the heavy fragile plaster used for prosthetic molds. The foam is not only lighter, and more durable, but is less expensive and faster to manufacture, which financially helps O&P companies and their patients. So, in a way, NASA’s tragedy has “spun-off” to benefit amputees around the world.
If you don’t believe me, just go to the Health Museum and find out for yourself!
That’s right, the Amputee & Prosthetic Center has partnered with the Health Museum to present a “touch cart” of NASA spin-off technologies at this summer’s FACING MARS exhibit—an exhibit about the challenges humans face colonizing Mars. The Spin-off “touch cart” features different types of technology that NASA has developed that have become part of our lives (prosthetics included!)
The Amputee & Prosthetic Center donated various components and materials for educational use to the museum, so visitors have the opportunity to see and touch these materials first hand.
Aside from the “touch cart,” the exhibit features various interactive stations that encourage visitors to “walk on Mars,” test and launch rockets, “fly over” the Martian landscape and consider the implications humans face in their quest to reach Mars.
The exhibit will be on display through September 7th, so be sure to check it out—it’s guaranteed to be a fun and educational experience for the entire family (and a great way to get out of the summer heat!)
The Health Museum
1515 Hermann Drive
Houston, TX 77004
NASA recommended this light and virtually indestructible material to the O&P industry as an alternative to the heavy fragile plaster used for prosthetic molds. The foam is not only lighter, and more durable, but is less expensive and faster to manufacture, which financially helps O&P companies and their patients. So, in a way, NASA’s tragedy has “spun-off” to benefit amputees around the world.
If you don’t believe me, just go to the Health Museum and find out for yourself!
That’s right, the Amputee & Prosthetic Center has partnered with the Health Museum to present a “touch cart” of NASA spin-off technologies at this summer’s FACING MARS exhibit—an exhibit about the challenges humans face colonizing Mars. The Spin-off “touch cart” features different types of technology that NASA has developed that have become part of our lives (prosthetics included!)
The Amputee & Prosthetic Center donated various components and materials for educational use to the museum, so visitors have the opportunity to see and touch these materials first hand.
Aside from the “touch cart,” the exhibit features various interactive stations that encourage visitors to “walk on Mars,” test and launch rockets, “fly over” the Martian landscape and consider the implications humans face in their quest to reach Mars.
The exhibit will be on display through September 7th, so be sure to check it out—it’s guaranteed to be a fun and educational experience for the entire family (and a great way to get out of the summer heat!)
The Health Museum
1515 Hermann Drive
Houston, TX 77004
Note: Summer hours for the museum are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. General Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for children ages 3-12 and senior adults. Museum members and children two years of age and under are admitted free.
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