National Aero

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Goddard Space Flight Center

Innovative Partnerships Program Office

Building 22, Room 290, Mailstop 504 

Greenbelt, Maryland 20771

p: 301.286.5810

f: 301.286.0301

e: techtransfer@gsfc.nasa.gov

w: http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

NP-2008-02-006-GSFC

www.nasa.gov
With the help of Space Pup, Goddard’s technology

transfer mascot, we’ll show you how we use some

of those space technologies here on Earth!

Technology Transfer:

How we can all use the tools NASA creates

for their space program

Did you ever think about all of the work NASA puts into creating

the tools they use to study outer space? Every year, NASA

scientists come up with new and better ways to explore and learn

about our world and the universe. We call the new tools they

create “technologies.” Technologies help scientists, astronauts,

and other people in the space program do their jobs better,

safer, and easier.

What is Technology Transfer?

Many times the tools NASA creates can also help us do things

better here on Earth. When NASA sees a way to put a tool that

they use in space to use for something in our world, they

“transfer” that technology to a company that can use it. 

This is called “Technology Transfer.”

Each of NASA’s ten Field Centers has people whose job it is to

find new uses for the tools their scientists have developed. 

This coloring book was put together by the people at the

Technology Transfer Program office at NASA’s Goddard Space

Flight Center.
2

See how Technology Transfer happens:

NASA needs to find a

new way to study space

or solve a problem.

Their scientists study the

problem and come up with a

new technology that solves it.

People at NASA’s Technology

Transfer Program get a patent

for the new technology and study

it to find ways it could be used in

everyday life.

Then they find companies

or other organizations

that are interested in

licensing the technology.

Those companies

use the new

technology to

make a new

product or to

make existing

products better.

patent: A patent is an official document that describes an invention to protect it and keep

others from making, using, or selling something just like it without the inventor's permission. (Inventors are people who use their imaginations to create something useful that is

different from anything else.)

license: A license is an agreement between the inventor and another person that allows

the other person to use the inventor’s invention in their own work—usually for a fee.
l

l l l

l

l

l

l

3

Space words jumble:

tuanotrosa

noolalb

fsapeccrat

htear cissenec

scinortelec

reeenig

xylaga

lebbhu pecoseelt

toobr

ralso metssy

cpase ttlushe

yx-ar

Now arrange the circled letters to form the name of Goddard’s

technology transfer mascot:

l l l l l l l l

as _ _ _ n _ _ _

__l_o__

_ _ a _ _ _ r _ _ _

e _ _ _ h _ c _ _ _ _ _ s

_ l _ c _ r _ _ _ _ _

e _ g _ _ _ _ _

_ a _ _ x _

_ _ b _ _ _ _ e _ _ _ _ _ p _

_ o ___

s _ _ _ _ _ _ s _ _ m

_ _ _ _ e _ _ _ t _ l _

_ _ a _
NASA uses this unmanned vehicle to gather information about the atmosphere 

around planets and other things in space.

4

how NASA uses it: Unmanned, balloon-launched, remote control vehicle
Space Pup can fly the unmanned vehicle over forest fires using a remote control.

This lets us gather information about the fire without putting someone in danger.

5

how we use the technology: Unmanned, balloon-launched, remote control vehicle
NASA uses a special polishing technology to polish mirrors used in space telescopes

like the Hubble!

how NASA uses it: Polishing tool

6
7

We can use this polishing tool to smooth the surface of ice skate blades to make

them go super fast!

how we use the technology: Polishing tool
8

NASA uses this capillary [kap-e-’lar-e] pumped loop warmer technology to control

the temperature of their spacecraft. 

A capillary is a tiny tube.

how NASA uses it: Capillary pumped loop warmer

e
9

Space Pup can keep his hands or feet warm and toasty even in the coldest

places wearing gloves with capillaries (tubes) that carry heat from warm places

on his body to the cold places on his body. His friend, Rex, wishes he had some

of those gloves!

how we use the technology: Body warmer
10

Telemetry [te-’lem-e-tre] is when a device, known as a telemeter [te-’lem-e-ter],

measures something and sends the information by radio to another location.

NASA used this technology in life science experiments on the Mars Viking space

probe.

how NASA uses it: Telemetry for the Mars Viking space probe

ee e e
11

A PIMS is a small medication system that can be put inside someone’s body to

give them medicine from the inside. Space Pup’s doctor put a PIMS in his body

so he gets the right amount of medicine right when he needs it. Using the

telemetry technology from Viking, the doctor can also change the amount of

medicine that Space Pup gets.

how we use the technology: Programmable implantable medication system (PIMS)
12

NASA uses this capaciflective [ke-’pas-e-flek-tiv] sensor on robots that do work

on spacecraft. The sensor allows the robots to “see” a person or object so they

how

can avoid running into them while working on the ship.

 NASA uses it: Capaciflective sensor

eee
13

This cool interactive monitor uses the same type of sensor that allows the robots

to “see”. Space Pup can use his hands to control his computer game WITHOUT

touching the screen or a mouse!

how we use the technology: 3-D capaciflector interactive display
14

NASA has developed tiny electronic chips — not to be confused with potato chips!

— to improve communication between satellites, spacecraft, and scientists on

earth.

how NASA uses it: Tiny electronic chips
15

The same types of tiny chips helped engineers create this temperature monitoring

pill. By swallowing this temperature monitoring pill, Space Pup gives his doctor a

constant reading of his temperature and heart rate while he goes about his usual

business.

Heart rate is how fast your heart is beating.

how we use the technology: Ingestible temperature monitoring pill
16

Find-a-word

C I NO R T C E L E T NU ZC

YUR E KWF XNUK TA T I

GGGD X O L A A G I G L OR

OPQX GH S N R L I U I BC

L P K V B CO C I C E N V OU

OF J P I R L Z F C E E E R I

NN T E T O A C F R A C I E T

HBN S A T E L L I T E AQR

C C A S I R E H T A EWP PG

E O R OE K K R Z VK ZDCS

T J NVO L E I S B T Z AQP

T A X E B B B FMV X J B FQ

P I S L P G H A X Z C A J XM

T V X T F P DQCHU R V JQ

G K I C Z V J C S T L LGUR

astronaut cables circuit

electronic engineer robot

satellite science spacecraft

technology weather
17

Match NASA’s use for the technologies on the left to the technology developed

for our use on the right.

Match the technologies
18

NASA uses this software on satellites to make three-dimensional maps of planets

and other things in space 

Three-dimensional means it looks more realistic, like some parts are further away than others.

Photons [‘fo-tän] are tiny particles of energy or radiation.

how NASA uses it: Photon-counting microaltimeter [mi-kro-al-’timeter] ee
19

how we use the technology: Photon-counting microaltimeter

Using NASA’s photon-counting altimeter software, Space Pup is making a 

three-dimensional map of his school. 

An altimeter is an instrument that measures altitude (how high something is). 

Micro means “very small,” so a microaltimeter is a very small instrument that measures

how high something is.
Carbon nanotubes [‘nan-o-tübz] are tiny tubes that are very strong and very good

conductors of electricity and heat. They can be used as a type of fuel cell (like a

battery) as well as for lots of other things. NASA came up with a new way to

make carbon nanotubes that is a lot safer and also saves companies a lot of

money. 

Nano means one billionth! That’s small—about 150,000 times smaller than a human hair!

20

how NASA uses it: Carbon nanotubes
21

Because NASA came up with a better way to make carbon nanotubes, companies

will be able to find new ways to use them. In the future they could be used to

make better computers, cell phones, electronic toys, and lots of other things.

how we use the technology: Carbon nanotubes
22

NASA developed this coating on gantries at rocket launch sites. Gantries are big

vertical structures that support rockets. The coating helps protect the gantry

from salt water corrosion and the effects of the heat from the rocket. This

makes it last longer.

how NASA uses it: IC531 protective coating
23

Space Pup can use NASA’s coating to protect the Statue of Liberty from rust and

pollution.

how we use the technology: IC531 coating
NASA developed this very strong and flexible cable mechanism to help scientists

control the flight and movement of spacecraft and other machines.

24

how NASA uses it: Cable mechanism
25

Space Pup is showing us a type of walker called "SAM" that uses NASA's cable

mechanism. SAM helps people who have trouble walking move around without any

help and without having to use their arms to support themselves. SAM makes it

easier for people who have been in accidents to learn how to walk again.

how we use the technology: Secure Ambulation Module (SAM)
26

NASA came up with this technology when they were working on a Doppler 

[‘däp-ler] lidar [‘li-där] to measure wind from space. 

how

Doppler lidars are devices that measure how fast air is moving. 

 NASA uses it: Holographic wind measurement

You can’t really

fly kites in

space!

e
27

With this tool, Space Pup can “see” how the wind is moving. This could help

airplanes avoid turbulence (or bumpy air) when flying.

how we use the technology: Holographic wind measurement
28

NASA engineers created the tiny electronic chip that is used in the directional

hearing aid glasses. Tiny electronic chips can make many new things possible. 

An engineer is a person who uses science and math to create things that are useful to us.

how NASA uses it: Tiny electronics
29

The glasses Space Pup is wearing use NASA's tiny electronics. They have flashing

lights in in the frame that tell him whether a sound is coming from the left, right,

front, or back. For people who can’t hear, these glasses can help warn them that

something is coming and they need to move out of the way.

how we use the technology: Directional hearing aid
NASA engineers created this new x-ray technology and its tiny electronics when

they were looking for better ways to detect x-rays from distant stars.

30

Stars

X-rays are a type of energy. Stars and many

other bodies in space (like black holes,

supernovas, and pulsars) send out x-rays.

Studying these x-rays helps scientists learn

more about the star.

how NASA uses it: X-ray astronomy
31

By using NASA’s x-ray technology and tiny electronics used to study space,

engineers were able to create the Lixiscope[lik-’se-skop]. The Lixiscope is a

portable x-ray device. A team doctor could use it at a ball game. If a player got

hurt, the doctor could use the lixiscope to see if any bones are broken.

how we use the technology: Portable x-rays (Lixiscope)

e
32

NASA engineers wrote the NASA Structural Analysis (NASTRAN) program to

help them build instruments and spacecraft. The program also shows the

engineers how well the instruments and spacecraft will do when they fly.

how NASA uses it: NASTRAN for space
33

NASTRAN helps engineers design better cars, planes, ships, bridges, and

buildings. Space Pup is trying NASTRAN out to design a faster set of roller

blades. 

how we use the technology: NASTRAN for Earth
34

Crossword puzzle

Across:

2. Object to send or receive radio or TV signals

5. The planet on which we live

6. Stuff that makes air and water dirty

9. Person who uses science to plan and design useful things

10. Bend without breaking

Down:

1. Spacecraft that moves in orbit around Earth

3. Strong, thick wire ropes

4. Object that orbits the earth

7. Path for electricity

8. Force that sees skeletons

1

6

9

2

4

7

10

5

3

8
35

Can you find Earth?

Can you name all of the planets 1. _________________

in order from the sun? 2. _________________

3. _________________

4. _________________

5. _________________

6. _________________

7. _________________

8. _________________

9. _________________

Our Solar System

Our solar system has nine planets that revolve around the sun.
Celestial decoder

Decode the answers to these questions ....

36

A B C D E F G H I J K L MNO P QR ST U VWX Y Z

26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

1. This computer program has helped engineers design spacecraft as well as cars, planes,

bridges, and buildings.

__ __ __ __ __ __ __

Code: 13—26— 8— 7— 9—26—13

2. These tiny tubes can help engineers create better computers, cell phones, electronic toys,

and lots of other things.

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

Code: 24—26—9—25—12—13 13—26—13—12—7— 6—25—22— 8 

3. How can you measure how fast the wind is moving?

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 

Code: 23—12—11—15—22— 9 15—18—23—26— 9

4. With this instrument, Space Pup’s doctor can check to see if any bones are broken even

when they’re not at the hospital or doctor’s office.

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 

Code: 15—18— 3 —18— 8 —24—12—11—22

5. What technology helps NASA control the temperature of their spacecraft?

Code:

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 

24—26—11—18—15—15—26— 9 — 2 11— 6—14—11—22—23 15—12—12—11 4—26—9—14—22—9
37

Connect the dots
38

The A-mazing Hubble!

Help Hubble find its way to Jupiter!
39

Word search puzzle

AH D F FEFO N JE EBEO ZLRO O

XI T H NSWO T RZ AGDR PVAT Z

HW M R QDID M ED ICIN ELLM P

CB S E ATXC F KG HGEF YGOU D

SU P X UEEF E AD VKHW OOSJ Q

KP U L QPTN E MU RTSN IDLJ Z

A K L E QTGW Y EG SRIM YDHQ H

MO X N CTXF P CN ASAC SATJ A

PM Z G QTRY B AK MTOD RRXH H

S B R P I X AA J PA SAIG DDUR T

AQ X F MFYP N XK TLEP CBOG N

IN W Q VKYS W ST XCGC BNNB C

PI O L SWFZ U TF AXSL YICO K

FV I I WNZP K PP EAEB MHPO I

Q X Q H TIHL U ST URTO RNEX A

KB W Q INRE E AL HOYZ EVNB P

TN C U QUEE A DL AFXH YGQW J

G I E T G A X V B Z A M E T S Y S P N S

UR X W RYEY N DB VHKI YUKU H

YZ Q F FPXN H II TYHX PRLF X

earth Goddard Hubble

instrument invention medicine

NASA pacemaker pollution

pup solar space

system transfer wire

Xray
AH D F FEFO N JE EBEO ZLRO O

XI T H NSWO T RZ AGDR PVAT Z

H W M R QDID M ED ICIN ELLM P

C B S E ATXC F KG HGEF YGOU D

SU P X UEEF E AD VKHW OOSJ Q

KP U L QPTN E MU RTSN IDLJ Z

AK L E QTGW Y EG SRIM YDHQ H

MO X N CTXF P CN ASAC SATJ A

P M Z G QTRY B AK MTOD RRXH H

S B R P IXAA J PA SAIG DDUR T

A Q X F MFYP N XK TLEP CBOG N

IN W Q VKYS W ST XCGC BNNB C

PI O L SWFZ U TF AXSL YICO K

FV I I WNZP K PP EAEB MHPO I

QX Q H TIHL U ST URTO RNEX A

KB W Q INRE E AL HOYZ EVNB P

TN C U QUEE A DL AFXH YGQW J

G I E T G A X V B Z A M E T S Y S P N S

U R X W R Y E Y N DB VHKI YUKU H

YZ Q F FPXN H II TYHX PRLF X

40

Puzzle answers

C INO R T C E L ET NU ZC

Y URE K W F X N UK TA TI

G GGD X O L A A GI GL OR

O PQX G H S N R LI UI BC

L PKV B C O C I CE NV OU

O FJP I R L Z F CE EE RI

N NTE T O A C F RA CI ET

H BNS A T E L L IT EA QR

C CAS I R E H T AE WP PG

E ORO E K K R Z VK ZD CS

T JNV O L E I S BT ZA QP

T AXE B B B F M VX JB FQ

P ISL P G H A X ZC AJ XM

T VXT F P D Q C HU RV JQ

G K IC Z V J C S TL LG UR

Word search answers–page 16

Hubble maze answer–page 38

Crossword answers–page 34

Word search answers—page 39

1

6

9

2

4

7

10

5

3

8

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Celestial decoder answers from page 36

1. NASTRAN 2. Carbon nanotubes 3. Doppler lidar 4. Lixiscope 5. Capillary pumped loop warmer

Word jumble page 3

astronaut

balloon

spacecraft

earth sciences

electronics

engineer

galaxy

hubble telescope

robot

solar system

space shuttle

x-ray

“Space Pup”
With the help of Space Pup, Goddard’s technology

transfer mascot, we’ll show you how we use some

of those space technologies here on Earth!

Technology Transfer:

How we can all use the tools NASA creates

for their space program

Did you ever think about all of the work NASA puts into creating

the tools they use to study outer space? Every year, NASA

scientists come up with new and better ways to explore and learn

about our world and the universe. We call the new tools they

create “technologies.” Technologies help scientists, astronauts,

and other people in the space program do their jobs better,

safer, and easier.

What is Technology Transfer?

Many times the tools NASA creates can also help us do things

better here on Earth. When NASA sees a way to put a tool that

they use in space to use for something in our world, they

“transfer” that technology to a company that can use it. 

This is called “Technology Transfer.”

Each of NASA’s ten Field Centers has people whose job it is to

find new uses for the tools their scientists have developed. 

This coloring book was put together by the people at the

Technology Transfer Program office at NASA’s Goddard Space

Flight Center.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Goddard Space Flight Center

Innovative Partnerships Program Office

Building 22, Room 290, Mailstop 504 

Greenbelt, Maryland 20771

p: 301.286.5810

f: 301.286.0301

e: techtransfer@gsfc.nasa.gov

w: http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

NP-2008-02-006-GSFC

www.nasa.gov
1