Life Beyond: 10 Coolest Gadgets We'd Like to See in Space

After reading the recent article about the collaboration between the crafts site Etsy and the NASA Ames Research Center on a new contest that encourages members of the Etsy community to design NASA-inspired handmade goods, it was great to see the relationship between NASA and normal earthlings is now being taken to an even more personal level. I was sorry to hear that the designers themselves wouldn't be making the journey into space ;( sorry guys, maybe next time, but it was good to hear that their handmade goods would be making the flight.

It is clear from watching the last the 30 years of technological innovation develop on earth and in space, that life seems more and more like something that we once saw in sci-fi movies and space fantasy TV programs. There is obviously an overlap and a chain of events as the popular culture influences commerce, which in turn influences technological inventions. It becomes apparent that as intelligent minds use their creativity to think up crazy imaginary tech gadgets for books and movies, techies the world over see some of these cool inventions and must ask themselves - "Hmm...what if we could really make something like that?"

The communicators that we once thought of as purely imaginary, seemingly impossible wireless telephones transferring our voice and image have become an every day part of our lives here in the 21st century. The list of examples go on and on, from human-like robots to high powered computers using advanced voice recognition and accessing massive amounts of data, these devices are now developing at an extremely rapid pace. It is clear that those space technology freaks at places like NASA and Virgin Galactic are indeed watching how excited people become over the prospect of space travel, and obviously want to continue increasing and utilizing this earthly passion to travel to the stars...

Of course, everyone has their own idea of just what would be useful in space, and there are also plenty of wildly creative inventions that certainly might come in handy if you are on your way to a galactic voyage into the great beyond...

Here are just a few of the insightful inventions for space travel that I'd certainly like to have if I were to contemplate making the journey in the shuttle.

1. Jetpack

   I'm not totally experienced when it comes to space age technologies, but I do know that astronauts are gonna need some good jetpacks when they start getting farther into planet exploration, so I think the time is right to get this one into space already.

2. Space Hotel

   

   So let's say that we are docked at some planet for a couple of weeks or so, doing all kinds of scientific experiments and such. Would there really be a big problem to just launch a nearby space hotel so we could take a break from the hectic day-to-day life in space and just kick it for a few days in a nearby galactic lodging house?

3. Alien Abduction Lamp

   

   I know that we probably won't be abducting any cows while we're in space, but this is still a must-have accessory to light up your space cubicle the next time you blast off.

4. Space Age Land Rover

   

   There is obviously gonna be a lot of rough terrain to cover up there, we will probably need something that not only looks good, but is rugged as well. If it can also fly around a little to save us some time, all the better...

5. Space Bed

   

   OK , I know that they already have them in the Google offices, but they look so cool here on earth, that they definitely must be an awesome place to nap in space as well.

6. Angel Kitty USB keyboard

   

   Alright, if I am going to be sitting in a rocket slumped over my computer for heaven knows how long, I at least want a computer keyboard that will keep me feeling so fresh and so clean.

7. Space Glove

   

   This one has already been in a NASA design contest, but it looks so amazing that it definitely has to find its way into space somehow.

8. 
   The Sphere Chair

   

   I imagine that we will have plenty of free time on our hands, so I would like to see some furniture that is designed for the space age finally used in space.

9. Space Lounge

   

   Sometimes when I see those pictures of the astronauts in their space capsule, it all just seems so cramped and uncomfortable. I think that that a nice space lounge would be just the thing for a little practical and well needed chilling time in space.

10. Space Shuttle

    

    If I am going to be shuttling in space from place to place, maybe making a short journey from the mother craft to check out some wild new planet, I don't want some beat up old craft making a bad reputation for me as I guide my way through the solar systems. I think I would want the team from pimp my ride a little bit to fix me up a space shuttle that is worthy of the trip!

NASA seems intent on trying to develop an even deeper connection with popular culture as they turn ordinary people into astronauts and integrate normal day-to-day earthly contraptions into their technological space adventures. It all sounds really exciting and I'll be anxious to see just what stuff they choose. Maybe they will pick up some new ideas along the way...