David E. Steitz
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1730
david.steitz@nasa.gov
Warren Betts/Brian Boothe
WBC/ZoomWerks
626-836-2080; 626-836-3040
warren@zoomwerks.com / brian@zoomwerks.com
RELEASE: 11-393
SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL TO AIR SPECIAL "ARTHUR CHRISTMAS" SEGMENT FEATURING NASA SPINOFF TECHNOLOGY
WASHINGTON -- Have you ever been curious about where all the
technology in your school, home, car, computer, or office comes from?
You might be surprised that a great percentage of the technology we
rely on each day was developed or enhanced by NASA. We all know about
NASA's outstanding accomplishments in space, but few of us know just
how much the space agency has accomplished right here at home. Except
for Arthur. Arthur Christmas, that is.
This year in the holiday release of "Arthur Christmas," Santa's North
Pole has turned to high technology to run a precise operation in
getting billions of gifts delivered around the world. Run by
thousands of computer-savvy elves, the North Pole uses NASA-style
technology to track the delivery of gifts around the Earth as they
are being delivered by Santa's high speed S-1. The S-1 is a giant
spacecraft in the shape of a sleigh.
Sony Pictures Animation team created a special one-minute segment from
the film to help bring attention to the many high tech gadgets and
everyday items that come from NASA technology. The educational
segment will premiere on the Smithsonian Channel during primetime on
Tuesday, Nov. 22. It also can be downloaded for use by educators and
media at:
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/technology/features/arthur_christmas.html "This was an exciting opportunity for us to have real examples of
space technology being used right here on Earth featured in a family
holiday film," said Daniel Lockney, NASA's technology transfer
program executive at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "NASA is
constantly creating innovative technologies to enable our current and
future missions. Many of these technologies get further developed and
turned into consumer products by American industries, creating jobs,
fueling the economy, and saving and improving lives around the
planet."
NASA's technology transfer program provides corporations and
innovators with opportunities to bring technology initially developed
for space to consumers around the world. Hundreds of examples of NASA
spinoff technologies and innovations that have become viable
commercial products and are now used in our everyday lives can be
found at NASA's Spinoff website:
http://spinoff.nasa.gov Sony Pictures Animation is the creator of "Arthur Christmas," directed
by Sarah Smith. The film is a 3D holiday feature animation, starring
the voices of James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy and Imelda
Staunton. Sony Pictures Animation is one of the leading animation
companies in the industry, producing exciting and advanced animated
family entertainment.
Arthur Christmas opens Nov. 23.
For more information about the Smithsonian Network, visit:
http://www.smithsonianchannel.com For more information about NASA and agency programs, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov
