With the next boom in the space race on the horizon, many may be thinking that the technological innovations are unhelpful to the everyday man. So, let’s take a look at some of the space designed or derived technologies can impact our daily lives.
Random Number Generation
You know what they say – in space, no one can hear you scream. Well, space is actually full of noises. And, this unpredictable noise can be used as a source of entropy for RNGs, which can be used in a wide range of applications to ensure results are completely random.
Just take iGaming, for example – online slots must use a digital alternative to in person gaming techniques which still have the same element of luck and chance as the traditional gameplay for authenticity and immersion: RNGs. And, some of the most popular online slot games are even themed around space and the stars, as well as using this kind of technology – enthusiasts could check out the Starburst slot for universe-inspired online gaming. Here, gems and stars fall onto the reels in a seemingly random order, putting a unique spin on the origins of the technology that is the backbone behind the game. Whilst traditional slot games rely on gravity, these games are powered by RNGs to ensure the fairness of gameplay.
As we’ve said, many random number generators require a physical input – and, for some, this is the atmospheric noise or behaviour of our atmosphere or the space beyond it. For example, Dr Mads Haahr from Trinity College, Dublin relies on the unpredictable phenomena of lightning for his random number generators. Elsewhere, white noise from the universe can be used as an entropy source due to its indeterminable nature.
Agricultural Analysis
Travels to space have allowed scientists to place satellites in key locations. These satellites can be accessed remotely, and can be used to monitor the earth from afar. Due to this, these satellite systems can be utilised for monitoring agricultural processes in real time. The NASA Harvest platform for example, leverages satellite data to provide real-time analytics to agricultural workers.
The data that can be provided can impact everything from agribusiness to food security, as well as the resilience and preservation of the physical environment. In turn, the data can be leveraged to improve productivity, the practices employed, and adapting policies in line with the changing environment. Ultimately, this can help to ensure that regions have access to food, monitor the productivity of agriculture, and reduce the volatility of the market.
Sustainability
Today, sustainability is more than a want – it is a need. With this in mind, space technologies can be leveraged to help many industries improve their sustainability. Let’s take a look at the Space4Water platform, which provides training, information, data, and networks which leverage data collected from space for managing water management. Elsewhere, water remediation technology designed for the International Space Station has been used to provide clean water to earth’s driest regions.
In addition to this, space technology can be utilised to achieve energy efficiency. Satellites can be used to monitor infrastructure to ensure efficiency, support surveying for the implementation and optimisation of this infrastructure, help in synchronising power infrastructure, and even assist in identifying optimal areas for solar and wind energy farms.
As you can see, technology designed for or derived from space can be used to improve everything from the level of randomness to sustainability, and even help to improve agricultural productivity. With this in mind, space technology is not just for space – it is for earth, too.
