<P> Thiokol has used surplus rocket fuel through an agreement with NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center used the fuel to produce a flare that can safely destroy landmines . The fuel that is left unused from a launch will become a solid, which cannot be reused but can be used as an ingredient needed to create the Demining Device flare . The Demining Device flare uses a battery - triggered electric match to ignite and neutralize land mines in the field without detonation . The flare uses the solid rocket fuel to burn a hole in a mine's case and burns away the explosive contents so the mine can be disarmed without hazard . </P> <P> Built and designed by Avco Corporation, the Apollo heat shield was coated with a material whose purpose was to burn and thus dissipate energy during reentry while charring, to form a protective coating to block heat penetration . NASA subsequently funded Avco's development of other applications of the heat shield, such as fire - retardant paints and foams for aircraft, which led to an intumescent epoxy material, which expands in volume when exposed to heat or flames, acting as an insulating barrier and dissipating heat through burn - off . Further innovations include steel coatings devised to make high - rise buildings and public structures safer by swelling to provide a tough and stable insulating layer over the steel for up to 4 hours of fire protection, ultimately to slow building collapse and provide more time for escape . </P> <P> Firefighting equipment in the United States is based on lightweight materials developed for the U.S. Space Program . NASA and the National Bureau of Standards created a lightweight breathing system including face mask, frame, harness, and air bottle, using an aluminum composite material developed by NASA for use on rocket casings . The broadest fire - related technology transfer is the breathing apparatus for protection from smoke inhalation injury . Additionally, NASA's inductorless electronic circuit technology led to lower - cost, more rugged, short - range two - way radio now used by firefighters . NASA also helped develop a specialized mask weighing less than 3 ounces (85 g) to protect the physically impaired from injuries to the face and head, as well as flexible, heat - resistant materials--developed to protect the space shuttle on reentry--which are being used both by the military and commercially in suits for municipal and aircraft - rescue firefighters . </P> <P> With NASA funding, Taylor Devices Inc. developed shock absorbers that could safely remove the fuel and electrical connectors from the space shuttles during launch . These absorbers are being used as seismic shock absorbers to protect buildings from earthquakes in places like Tokyo and San Francisco . </P>

Name a space spin off for each category medical material consumer