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Plastics for space - problem solvers on Earth 
Just as stone, iron and bronze shaped our early history, manmade plastics material today shape our lives in an ever more permanent way. In their 100-year history plastics have fundamentally changed our world. Today they are integrated components of modern civilisation, offering immense potential for innovation. K2001, the world's biggest trade fair for plastics and rubber, hosted last week in Dusseldorf a special presentation "Plastics in outer space - solutions for the Earth". The stand was a joint initiative of ESA, VKE (Association of the Plastics Producing Industry) and APME (Association of Plastics Manufacturers in Europe) and was a magnet for the some 230.000 trade visitors.
"We have registered considerable interest in our spin-offs from plastics developed for space and used on Earth. It is widely recognised that space creates innovative materials including new types of plastic with great potential on Earth", says Hans Dworak from ESA's Technology Transfer Programme.
Although there were more than 2800 exhibitors, the ESA-VKE-APME joint stand attracted quite a crowd. "In particular we have had many requests from smaller companies searching for specific technologies which could improve an existing product or resolve a specific technical problem."
Spacecraft also need to be "dressed" to resist similar heat and cold variations, vacuum radiation, and electrical storms. They defy these extreme conditions in space thanks to shields and insulation materials made out of plastics.
Technology transfer from space to Earth Many materials developed for European space programmes have now found their way into terrestrial applications thanks to ESA's Technology Transfer Programme, frequently resolving problems in our life here on Earth in new and innovative ways. Just some of the examples presented at K2001:
ESA has developed the concept of a self-sufficient SpaceHouse that could make it possible for astronauts to stay for a longer period on other planets. It is based upon carbon fiber and epoxy resin composites, specially designed to protect against small meteorite showers.
The Nuna solar car is taking part in the 3010 kilometre solar-race through Australia starting 18 November. Plastics and space technology have played a major role in constructing one of the most efficient solar vehicles ever built. High performance solar cells push the car up to 160 km/h.
The International Space Station was also a hot topic, in particular its commercialisation activities and synergies with the plastics industry. Several members of APME have expressed their interest to investigate with ESA the opportunity to promote and broaden the research conducted on-board the Station. Innovative materials from space requested by European industry
ESA's technology transfer programme has been operating for over ten years and plastics play an important role. Numerous polymer applications originally created for specific requirements in space, have now found their way into our daily life.
"K2001 confirmed for us European industry's strong interest in using advanced new materials researched and developed for space. The flow of innovation from space to solutions on Earth will intensify, continuing to improve our daily life."
For more information, see the special web site for ESA's Technology Transfer Programme.
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