Space exploration is becoming a goose that lays golden eggs on Earth. As humanity resumes crewed lunar exploration for the first time in half a century, the new technologies developed are already being commercialized on Earth before astronauts even arrive on the moon. Construction technology to build a space base has created dwelling complexes on Earth, and humanoids (human-shaped robots) developed to help astronauts have found jobs first at car factories.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) released its Spinoff 2026 report on the 26th of last month (local time), introducing space technologies commercialized on Earth. Since 1976, NASA has published reports documenting the commercial use of space technology. The number of space technologies commercialized to date exceeds 2,400. There is even a saying that "America's new products come from NASA, the world's largest group of inventors."
◇ 3D printing to build moon and Mars bases, commercialized on Earth
The United States has resumed crewed lunar exploration, which had been halted since Apollo 17 in 1972, through the Artemis program. Artemis II will, for the first time, carry four astronauts and conduct a lunar orbit test flight in Mar. In 2022, the Artemis I mission proceeded as an uncrewed test flight, with an Orion spacecraft carrying mannequins orbiting the moon.
The results of the Artemis program are already appearing on Earth. In the Spinoff 2026 report, NASA introduced cases of commercializing lunar base construction technology. Branch Technology, which won the Marshall Space Flight Center's 3D printing habitat design competition, built a model lunar residence using a material that mixes lunar soil with plastic waste from spacecraft, and this technology is already being used on Earth to make wall panels.
While the Apollo program was conducted as one-off lunar missions, Artemis is building a space station called the Lunar Gateway in lunar orbit and is also pushing to construct a crewed lunar surface base. The long-term plan is to use it as a forward base for deep space exploration, such as Mars. Technologies developed for lunar exploration can also be used on Mars.
Not only lunar base technology but also crewed Mars base technology has already been commercialized. ICON 3D-printed a model Mars residence at NASA's Johnson Space Center, then used the technology to build a dwelling complex of 100 homes on the outskirts of Austin, Texas, where its headquarters is located. It is a technique that builds houses by extruding concrete like ink and stacking it.
◇ Lunar exploration humanoids find jobs at car factories
NASA said robots at lunar bases will handle routine maintenance and simple tasks to assist astronauts. Apptronik, featured in Spinoff 2026, developed the humanoid Apollo to work at lunar bases together with the Johnson Space Center.
Apollo is 173 centimeters tall and weighs 72 kilograms, similar to an adult. Thanks to that, it is suitable for working in existing factories where people work. Mercedes-Benz said it will test Apollo robots at car factories in Germany and Hungary in 2024. GXO Logistics, a global logistics company, also adopted Apollo.
In Spinoff 2026, NASA also introduced cases where medical technologies developed to safeguard astronauts' health have been commercialized on Earth. A representative case is the miniature remote surgical robot developed by Virtual Incision with support from the Johnson Space Center.
The company was co-founded by a professor in the mechanical engineering department and a medical school professor at the University of Nebraska. In 2024, the two professors successfully demonstrated a surgery by remotely controlling a robot on the International Space Station (ISS) from Earth to cut a rubber band in place of the small intestine. The remote surgical robot was approved that year for small intestine resection.
On the of last month, astronauts who went to the ISS halted their mission and returned to Earth due to a health issue affecting one team member. It was the first such incident since long-term astronaut stays began on the ISS in 2000. The ISS is 400 kilometers above Earth, so an emergency patient can be sent back immediately, but the moon is 385,000 kilometers away, making that impossible. A remote surgical robot can solve this problem.
Engineers at NASA's Glenn Research Center developed an implantable heart sensor for astronauts and a portable reader. Endotronix received a transfer of this technology and developed a medical device for heart failure patients. The portable blood testing device developed by 1Drop Diagnostics advances technology created to build a miniature laboratory on the ISS. Kalogon developed a wheelchair seat using spacesuit technology that helps prevent blood clots and deep vein thrombosis.
◇ Lunar exploration technology moves into daily life
Jared Isaacman, NASA Director-General, said in line with last month's Spinoff 2026 release that "as we pursue plans for long-term habitation on the moon and prepare for Mars exploration, the innovative technologies developed will provide lasting benefits to Earth beyond their original missions."
The fact that space technology also helps Earth was already proven half a century ago by the Apollo moon landings. The procedures NASA created to ensure the food safety of astronauts heading to the moon became the basis for safety procedures and regulations governing food production worldwide. That is Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP).
In the 1960s, NASA developed a cigarette pack–sized lightweight water purifier for the Apollo spacecraft. It destroys bacteria by releasing silver ions instead of chlorine. This purification system is now used in swimming pools, fountains, spas, and cooling towers. The wireless drilling device used to collect lunar soil led to the household cordless drill. Today's memory foam used in mattresses originates from a pressure-absorbing seat material developed by NASA in the 1970s.
Space technology was developed to protect astronauts in extreme environments. As such, it is popular at disaster sites on Earth. The insulation that wrapped the Apollo lander is used in silver emergency blankets that help maintain body temperature. That tradition continues with Artemis.
Lunar Outpost developed the "Space Canary," a sensor that detects fine dust in the lunar air for Artemis astronauts. On Earth, dust becomes rounded by atmospheric friction, but the moon has no atmosphere, so particles are sharp on all sides. If inhaled in that state, it can cause severe damage to the lungs.
Canary sensors are now detecting pollutants from wildfire sites, oil and gas facilities, and cities. The U.S. Forest Service deployed Canary sensors at wildfire suppression sites. Just as miners once used canaries with weak respiratory systems to detect harmful gases like methane or carbon monoxide first, Canary sensors detect deadly lunar dust and Earth's pollutants first. These are precious technologies that earn money and save lives.
References
NASA (2026), https://technology.nasa.gov/blog-NASA-Spinoff-2026