"What Is NASA, Alex?" New Trebek Video Promotes NASA In Your Life

David E. Steitz

Headquarters, Washington     

202-358-1730

david.steitz@nasa.gov

WASHINGTON -- The king of quiz shows, Alex Trebek, is helping answer the question, "How does NASA affect our daily lives?" The host of the long-running syndicated program "Jeopardy" is featured in a new public service announcement released Wednesday.

In the video, Trebek points out that much of the technologies we rely on in our daily lives come from those developed by NASA for space exploration. The video will air on NASA Television and the agency's website.

The new video was announced by NASA Chief Technologist Mason Peck during a NASA-Cleveland "Adopt a City" manufacturing initiative event in Cleveland.

"It's an honor to add Alex Trebek to our list of space technology spinoff supporters. As NASA partners today with small manufacturers in Ohio to solve tough technical problems with their products, there's potential for NASA technology to help improve everything from better household fans to stronger ceramics for dentistry," said Peck. "NASA technologies work for us here on Earth, solving everyday problems -- saving lives, creating jobs and making our lives better."

At the event, NASA, the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County and the Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network (MAGNET) also announced nine small and medium-sized Ohio manufacturers that will receive NASA assistance to solve technical problems with new or existing products.

NASA is committed to providing 400 hours of technical assistance from its science and engineering work force to offer potential solutions to the selected companies for specific technical challenges they are facing with a new or existing product. In addition to access to NASA experts, the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County are making $450,000 in low interest rate loans available to the companies to help with costs associated with participation in the program.

This initiative is part of the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy "Strong Cities, Strong Communities" effort with this partnership developed as a local "Adopt a City" program.

With the new video, Trebek joins the ranks of celebrities such as musicians Will.i.am and Norah Jones, and comedian Stephen Colbert who have recently partnered with the agency to tell audiences how NASA-related technology, or spinoffs, benefit life today on Earth.

To view the Trebek video and other public service announcements, visit http://www.nasa.gov/psa.

For hundreds of examples of NASA spinoff technologies and innovations adapted for use in our everyday lives, visit http://spinoff.nasa.gov.

For more information about NASA and agency programs, visit http://www.nasa.gov.

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