Space Foundation Press Releases


Air Purification and Plant Growth Innovations are Space Technology Hall of Fame Inductees at 33rd Space Symposium

Written by: developer

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Feb. 2, 2017) – The Space Foundation’s 33rd Space Symposium will culminate on April 6 with ceremonies celebrating the induction into the Space Technology Hall of Fame® of two innovations developed for space that now improve life on Earth, as well as celebrating 30 years of the Space Technology Hall of Fame program.

The 2017 inductees are:

  • Radiant Catalytic Ionization (RCI), enhanced technology creating hydroxyls through photocatalytic oxidation technology
  • Staged Nutrient Release (SNR) Fertilizer, precise timed released polymer coated fertilizer granules that reduce fertilization applications and environmental damage

The induction will be held during the 33rd Space Symposium at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo., USA. These three events will honor the inductees:

  • The Space Technology Hall of Fame® Private Induction Ceremony
  • The Space Technology Hall of Fame® Cocktail Reception
  • The Space Technology Hall of Fame® Dinner, co-sponsored by SpaceX

The Private Induction Ceremony is by invitation only, and the reception and dinner are open to all Space Symposium attendees.

The dinner program will feature a fireside chat on the topic of exploration, with discussion between humanities scholar Clay Jenkinson portraying Thomas Jefferson and political satirist P.J. O’Rourke. Reserve dinner tickets in advance at https://www.spacesymposium.org/.

About the Space Technology Hall of Fame
Thirty years ago, the Space Foundation’s Space Technology Hall of Fame was established to increase public awareness of the benefits that result from space exploration programs and to encourage further innovation. To date, 75 technologies have been inducted that were transformed into commercial products that improve the quality of life for all humanity.

About ActivePure Radiant Catalytic Ionization (RCI) Technology
In the mid-1990s, scientists at a NASA Research Partnership Center in Wisconsin were working on improving methods of growing plants in space.

The work was accomplished by the NASA-funded Wisconsin Center for Space Automation and Robotics — or WCSAR — one of many universities or research centers partnering with industry to work on NASA directed research programs.

The problem was the build-up of ethylene gas around plants grown in the closed environment of  spacecraft, which caused premature plant decay and spoilage.

To combat this, the group developed an ‘ethylene scrubber’ using the existing principle of photocatalytic oxidation where UV lighting and titanium dioxide are used to break down organic compounds like ethylene.

The WCSAR team worked to create a system that could function in the space environment — no simple task. The first device was successfully flown and operated on Space Shuttle Columbia in 1995, proving the system could work in helping to grow plants in the space environment.

The ActivePure family of products was designed around the concept that was proven by the NASA-funded team. While there are similar products, the Aerus team took the concept of the space-based ethylene scrubber and further developed the technology to build a family of products that benefit people in their everyday life.

About Florikan’s Staged Nutrient Release (SNR) Fertilizer
Florikan® CEO Ed Rosenthal noticed one of his client’s struggle to get Florikan fertilizer to mix into a water solution for easier application. This inspired Rosenthal to develop a new method, allowing easier and more accurate fertilizer application.

In 2003, Florikan introduced its first Staged Nutrient Release (SNR) fertilizer. Three polymers were developed to coat three components of the fertilizer. This concept, patented in 2004, proved to be very successful for the growers.

Growers could more accurately apply and use less fertilizer because the staged release kept nutrients in the soil longer, resulting in increased crop yields and significantly less environmental damage from excess fertilizer leaching into groundwater, a critical problem in the agricultural industry.

The National Society of Professional Engineers selected the technology for its 2004 ‘Most Innovative New Product’ award, and afforded Florikan 40 hours of consulting research and technical advice.

Florikan also engaged the NASA-funded Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program — or SATOP — designed to help small businesses overcome technological challenges using expertise derived from the U.S. space program.

SATOP Engineers analyzed the high production cost issues that limited Florikan’s widespread use. They determined Florikan could coat all three fertilizer components with the same material — a single polyurethane material that NASA has used in past projects. Florikan developed a new staged release fertilizer using this single coating, and in 2006 patented this new technology ensuring its commercial success.

In 2012, the J.R. Simplot Company purchased the rights to Florikan’s technology. Simplot’s worldwide distribution channel will provide more growers access to the product and its many benefits.

2017 Individual Inductees
The following individuals are being inducted into the Space Technology Hall of Fame®.
For ActivePure RCI:

  • Joseph Urso
  • Andrew Eide

For Florikan’s SNR Fertilizer:

  • Ed Rosenthal

2017 Organizational Inductees
The following organizations are being inducted into the Space Technology Hall of Fame®.
For ActivePure RCI:

  • Aerus
  • Wisconsin Center for Space Automation & Robotics (WCSAR)

For Florikan’s SNR Fertilizer:

  • Florikan E.S.A., LLC
  • Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP)

Organizational Commendation: J.R. Simplot Company

About the Judges
The distinguished panel of judges who selected the 2017 Space Technology Hall of Fame® inductees comprised:

  • Dr. Alice Bunn, Director of Policy, UK Space Agency
  • Dr. Gwang-Rae Cho, President, Korean Aerospace Research Institute
  • Dr. Ioana Cozmuta, Microgravity Innovation Lead, NASA Ames Research Center
  • Sarah Cruddas, Space Journalist, Broadcaster, Author
  • Birgit Hartman, Project Controller, European Space Agency
  • Sylvain Laporte, President, Canadian Space Agency
  • Richard Lewis, Movie Producer, South Paw Entertainment
  • Paul Lockhart, Former NASA Astronaut, PEMDAS Technologies & Innovations
  • Allan Lockheed, Partner, The Resource Group
  • Dr. Gerrit Nieuwpoort, Director, Netherlands Space Office
  • Namira Salim, Founder & MD, Space Trust

Nominate Technologies for 2018 Space Technology Hall of Fame
The deadline to submit nominations for induction in 2018 will be Aug. 15, 2017. Anyone may submit a nomination of a technology that was developed anywhere in the world for use in space and then modified or adopted for use on Earth. Nomination information, including online and downloadable nomination forms, is available at www.SpaceTechHallofFame.org.

About the Space Foundation
Founded in 1983, the Space Foundation is the foremost advocate for all sectors of space, and is a global, nonprofit leader in space awareness activities, educational programs and major industry events, including the annual Space Symposium, in support of its mission “to advance space-related endeavors to inspire, enable and propel humanity.” Space Foundation World Headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo., USA, has a public Discovery Center, including El Pomar Space Gallery, Northrop Grumman Science Center featuring Science On a Sphere® and the Lockheed Martin Space Education Center. The Space Foundation has a Washington, D.C., office and field representatives in Houston and the Florida Space Coast. It publishes The Space Report: The Authoritative Guide to Global Space Activity, and through its Space CertificationTM and Space Technology Hall of Fame® programs, recognizes space-based innovations that have been adapted to improve life on Earth. Visit both of our websites — www.SpaceFoundation.org and www.DiscoverSpace.org — and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter, Google+, Flickr and YouTube, and read our e-newsletter Space Watch.

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Space Foundation contact:   
Carol Hively, Director – Public Relations & Team Communications
[email protected]


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