How the International Space Station Helps Create Better Footballs
NASA research in microgravity has helped improve football design, especially after adding sensors that affect the ball's flight characteristics.
NASA research aboard the International Space Station (ISS) has contributed to the improvement of footballs. In 2019, researchers, in collaboration with the ISS National Laboratory, conducted experiments in microgravity to determine how the mass inside a ball affects its motion, stability, and spin. This research became particularly relevant when sports equipment manufacturer Adidas began embedding electronic sensors in footballs. Since 2022, such sensors have been used in major international tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup.
The sensors provide real-time data on the ball's speed, position, and touches, aiding referees and enhancing broadcast quality. However, they add extra weight in specific areas, potentially affecting flight. Scientists concluded that even small mass changes inside the ball can impact its stability and trajectory.
The study also builds on earlier NASA experiments. Engineers at Ames Research Center analyzed the "Brazuca" ball used in the 2014 World Cup in a wind tunnel, studying the "knuckleball" effect — where a ball with minimal spin suddenly changes direction. They found that panel shape, seam depth, and surface texture significantly affect aerodynamics. This knowledge allows manufacturers to better control the ball's flight.
NASA emphasizes that such examples demonstrate how space exploration technologies find their way into everyday life and help improve sports equipment used by millions.
