MOON LANDING – TECHNOLOGY THEN AND NOW

It has been 40 years since the historic Moon Landing on July 20, 1969 when 500 million people watched a live broadcast of Apollo 11 to see Neil Armstrong step off the “Eagle” onto the moon’s surface, and say “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

The inspiration provided by that goal is credited for laying the groundwork for a host of technologies that society depends on today. Consider the integrated circuit, commonly referred to as a computer chip. The Apollo Guidance Computer used for the Apollo program was the largest single consumer of integrated circuits between 1961 and 1965. NASA did not invent it, but did play a major role in making the integrated computer chip commercially viable in addition to encouraging the push toward the development of the personal computer, and sowing the seeds of the Internet.

The technologies that helped Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins reach the moon spurred the development of such products as wireless headsets, freeze-dried foods, cordless vacuum cleaners and bicycle helmets. They also used a digital technology to map the lunar surface that Estee Lauder later used to study high resolution images of human skin to design cosmetics. Whether you’re looking through a telescope, or looking through a microscope, the technology is the same.

Consider that 40 years ago computers were thought to be little more than “giant room-sized machines that were extremely large and power-hungry.” That image changed when NASA built a worldwide computer network to maintain communications with the astronauts. Microprocessors gained wide acceptance when they were introduced in the 1970s changing the perception of computing, proving that a computer could do something in the real world instead of a data-processing center.

In the 40 years since Bill Taylor and I watched the moon landing, NASA-related technology has come down to earth with hundreds of everyday products developed or modified using aerospace research from baby formula to swimsuits. The first things people think about are Tang, Teflon and Velcro. Actually none of these originated with the space program. Tang was developed in 1957 and John Glenn drank it while in orbit in 1962, upping its visibility and linking it to the space program. Teflon used for some heat shields and spacesuits, and Velcro used to keep equipment from floating around, have a role in the space program but originated well before NASA. However there are plenty of items widely in use with ties to the space program such as Global Communications and GPS systems, baby formula, scratch resistance lens for glasses, athletic fabrics and improved weather forecasting. Robotic tools on the space vehicles lead to artificial limbs, and the scanning system used by the astronauts lead to MRI, CAT SCAN and Ultra Sound machines.

Technology has advanced through the merits of the NASA Space Program from 40 years ago to more wireless applications in communications, laptop computers, GPS systems, digital imaging, and even better swimsuits and fabrics. I wonder what technology advancements we will see in the next 40 years as the NASA program continues and perhaps someday goes even further to travel to distant planets such as Mars.

Mary Couch’s conversation with Bill Taylor

Fiber Optics and 10 Gigabit Technology

Wired vs. Wireless, Power over Ethernet (PoE), PoE Plus, what’s next? Funny you should ask. As we continue our conversations on connectivity, it only makes sense that the next topic we explore is fiber.

You’ll notice we skipped the “copper” discussion. There was a point in time that copper was commonly used. The drawbacks to copper wiring were the distance limitations and the interference. Consumers wanted a clean, clear signal and found the solution in fiber.

Just for fun, I asked a few people, “What comes to mind when you think of fiber/ fiber optics?” For one person, it was the way fiber optics are used to create the magic at Disney from the glistening lights in the cement to the amazing shows. For another it was the little toy wands that you can get at a circus-like event that has strands of multi colored fiber optic lights. For me, I have the image of the fiber optic snowman that Hallmark has sold over the Holidays that can change colors and add a festive glow to the room.

In actuality, have you ever stopped to think about how fiber optics impacts your day to day activities? Imagine the hundreds of thousands of miles of fiber beneath the ground you are standing on. We use fiber to connect our buildings and communities. It is a framework in our society, weaving together campuses, businesses, and residential areas so all people can share and access the technology.

You may have heard the terms “single mode” and “multi mode” fiber.

Single Mode (more expensive) is typically used for “long haul” scenarios. This is considered the better choice for high precision needs. Electronics needed to support this fiber cost more, however the bandwidth quality is exceptional.

Multi Mode (less expensive) is typically used for communication over shorter distances, often over a campus or within a building. Electronics needed to support this fiber will cost less.
Technology will change. Business will evolve. People will adapt new methods to streamline processes. Files will continue to get larger, the cost of data storage will continue to decrease and we will rely on new technology to stay in the game.

The current “hot topic” now is 10 Gigabit. It warrants your attention. As the need for bandwidth to support video, voice and data networks increases, 10 Gigabit Fiber will provide the pipe large enough to accommodate these growing bandwidth needs. Be on the lookout for more to come on 10 Gigabit information and how it will impact your day to day activities and the very ground you are standing on today.

This was Amy Hershman’s last conversation with Bill Taylor and Dean Reskevich