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Spinoff story
Skiing Simulation
A real-world story of NASA technology finding a life beyond the mission.
About this technology
Overview
Arvin/Calspan Advanced Technology Center's Dr. Michael Holden is an aerodynamicist who normally works on the reentry characteristics of space vehicles. Calspan donated the use of its wind tunnel for a program aided at improving the performance of members of the U.S. Ski Team. Dr. Holden, a certified ski instructor, offered to apply his aerodynamics expertise to the design and supervision of the tests. Wind tunnel simulations have become an annual part of the U.S. Ski Team's training for U.S. and international events. Downhill ski racers learn from these simulations which body positions are most effective in which situations.