Space folks dont always feel the love these days U.S. human spaceflight capability has lapsed the NASA budget languishes at a measly 0.45 percent of the federal budget citizens, distressed with the economy, muse about why we spend anything on space People who are in the space business know very well that the space industry deserves a lot of respect and love for many things the joy of pure discovery the ability to publicly signal scientific and technological prowess the boost that high-tech jobs and high-tech manufacturing give to our economy the inspiration for some darn good movies and TV shows and, most of all, the way space research makes our lives better, easier, safer and more comfortable.
The range of products is broad: The GPS system that helps us find our way, conduct transactions, move products and protect our national security; pressure-relieving surfaces that originally cushioned Apollo astronauts and now make comfy mattresses; sunglasses that block dangerous UV radiation; water purification systems; ultra-lightweight heatsheet blankets and radiant barrier insulation; temperature-regulating clothing; bio-friendly oil spill remediation systems; chiropractic diagnostic and treatment equipment; medical equipment; life-saving food supplements; energy-saving vehicle designs; cordless tools; and on and on and on.
When were in the business, we know about these things. We celebrate them. We tend to believe that everyone grasps the way we do how much space research benefits society. But, they dont! And, if we know whats good for us, part of our job is to help them understand so that they, as citizens and voters and students, will support our business in their communities, at the ballot box, in the stock market and in their education and career choices.
Space Certification is a marketing program. Products and services that display the Space Certification seal are guaranteed to have stemmed from, or been dramatically improved, by technologies originally developed for space exploration, or to have significant impact in teaching people about the value of space utilization.
The program serves three purposes:
Providing a unique marketing edge from a space connection
Demonstrating to the public how space technologies improve life on Earth
Making space knowledge more interesting and accessible to everyone
Space Certification has three classifications:
Certified Technology Products Products or services that directly result from space technology or space program development or advances in space technology
Certified Educational Products Products used in educational environments to stimulate interest in, and knowledge about, space
Certified Imagination Products Entertainment products, games or toys that increase interest in, and excitement for, space and inspire new generations to take an active interest in space
Space Certification products and services have been scrutinized by the Space Foundation, which works closely with NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and other organizations engaged in space research and development to identify and validate that they are eligible for and deserving of recognition.
We work with our partners to help them use Space Certification to market their products and, in so doing, they help spread the word that space produces tangible benefits for all of us.
The Space Foundation manages these programs for two reasons: to support our mission to advance space-related endeavors to inspire, enable and propel humanity; and to support the space industry and our space industry partners. In other words, we do this for our industry and for our belief that space exploration is a worthy endeavor.
Need more information? Check out these sites:
http://www.SpaceCertification.org
http://www.SpaceTechHallofFame.org
http://www.SpaceFoundation.org
http://www.youtube.com/user/SpaceFoundation#p/u/33/G0VoKsqbXUo
http://www.youtube.com/user/SpaceFoundation#p/u/53/TjFGOlvT7OI
http://www.youtube.com/user/SpaceFoundation#p/u/1/XMAnoSbUD70
http://www.youtube.com/user/SpaceFoundation#p/u/12/_IXaUnQvSDU
http://www.youtube.com/user/SpaceFoundation#p/u/51/7gwZCfSojzU
Contact us and give us your ideas:
media@spacefoundation.org
About the author
Janet Stevens, APR, is responsible for the Space Foundations marketing and public relations programs, including public relations and marketing strategy, media relations, brand identity, advertising and promotion, graphic design, web communications, social media, community relations, and public outreach. Janet has spent more than 30 years in public relations, advertising, and quality management positions at GTE, Fidelity Investments, and Verizon. Ms. Stevens, who has a bachelors degree in mass communications from the University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, is accredited by the Public Relations Society of America.