Space Foundation Press Releases
Space Foundation Announces Systems Tool Kit and Hydroxyapatite Remineralizing Toothpaste as 2024 Space Technology Hall of Fame Inductees
Written by: Space Foundation Editorial Team
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Feb. 28, 2024 — Space Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1983, offering information, education and collaboration for the global space ecosystem, today announced that two leading-edge technologies developed for space will be inducted as the 2024 class of the Space Technology Hall of Fame®. The induction ceremony will occur during the annual Space Symposium, to be held April 8-11, at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.
The 2024 inductees are:
Founded in 1988 in partnership with NASA, the Space Technology Hall of Fame recognizes the life-changing technologies emerging from global space programs; honors the scientists, engineers and innovators responsible; and communicates to the public the importance of these technologies as a return on investment in space exploration.
Commenting on the newest inductees, Space Foundation CEO Heather Pringle said, “Our 2024 Space Technology Hall of Fame inductees continue a tradition of excellence in innovation while changing life on Earth for the better. This year’s inductees stood out from a very competitive group of applicants because they demonstrated the positive difference space can make and the enduring impact of space on our lives. This year’s inductees are an inspiration, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements at Space Symposium in April.”
2024 Space Technology Hall of Fame Inductees
Systems Tool Kit
The Systems Tool Kit is a customizable software package designed for modeling complex engineering systems and applications. Widely utilized by NASA and the aerospace community, STK offers off-the-shelf solutions tailored to diverse needs. Its versatility and widespread adoption make it a cornerstone tool in aerospace engineering.
It was originally designed to simplify the coding required for programs that needed satellite overflight analysis. Throughout the past 30 years, the Systems Tool Kit has been continually enhanced to support a wide variety of data-intensive applications. The outputs are customizable and now incorporate key visualization and graphical features to make it easier to convey outcomes of the analysis.
STK has been employed for space mission planning, enabling the simulation of satellite trajectories, prediction of coverage areas, and optimization of mission parameters. It has also played a critical role in defense, where it is used for modeling missile trajectories, assessing interceptor capabilities, and optimizing missile defense systems. Beyond aerospace and defense, STK has been utilized in urban planning to simulate the impact of infrastructure projects on urban environments, aiding in the planning and optimization of transportation systems, communication networks, and energy distribution networks.
Originally called the Satellite Tool Kit, the name was changed in the early 2010s to Systems Tool Kit to represent its expanded scope of applications. STK software has significantly impacted the space industry by shortening the development time of many programs. Today, STK software is in use worldwide. It has been licensed by over 3,000 private companies and government organizations and has supported countless space missions by NASA, United States Department of Defense and intelligence agencies, and international space agencies.
Hydroxyapatite Remineralizing Toothpaste
Hydroxyapatite remineralizing toothpaste is a product line from Sangi Co. Ltd., a Japanese-based company that specializes in dental care products. The products contain synthesized hydroxyapatite — a calcium phosphate compound found in bones and teeth. In 1980, the company introduced the world’s first toothpaste which uses the substance to remineralize (repair) damaged tooth enamel.
The original concept for the technology was based on research in the late 1960s conducted at NASA’s Electronics Research Center led by Bernard Rubin. NASA patented Rubin’s idea in 1972, and three years later, the intellectual property rights were purchased by Sangi. Sangi took the original concept and invested several more years of research and development to launch the world’s first hydroxyapatite remineralizing toothpaste Apadent® in the 1980s. Sangi continues to grow its product line, enter new markets, and has now sold over 150 million tubes of toothpaste worldwide.
To view all Space Technology Hall of Fame inducted technologies, please visit www.spacefoundation.org/inducted-technologies/.
About Space Symposium
Space Symposium, hosted by Space Foundation since 1984, is the premier assembly for the global space ecosystem. The live event, held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is widely attended by commercial and government leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and teachers around the globe. To learn more about Space Symposium, visit www.space symposium.org.
About Space Foundation
Space Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1983, offering information, education and collaboration for the global space ecosystem. Driven by partnerships, Space Foundation unites the entire spectrum of stakeholders — business, government, education and local communities — through support from corporate members, sponsors, fundraising and grants. Visit Space Foundation at www.SpaceFoundation.org, and follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
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All brand names and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Tags: Space Foundation, Space Symposium, Space Technology Hall of Fame, Systems Tool Kit, Hydroxyapatite Remineralizing Toothpaste, Sangi, NASA, space industry event, space technology, space innovation, space ecosystem, space exploration, space-to-Earth industries
Media Contacts:
Rich Cooper
Vice President, Strategic Communications & Outreach
Space Foundation
(202) 596-0714
[email protected]
Dottie O’Rourke
TECHMarket Communications
(650) 344-1260
[email protected]
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