Quote:
Originally Posted by Yasa
NASA and the research they do has a huge benefit to society.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA_spin-off_technologies
There's a good list there that includes;
- LEDs
- Infrared thermometers
- Artificial limbs
- Aircraft anti-icing systems
- Improved radial tires
- Fire resistant reinforcement
- Improved firefighting equipment
- Tempered foam
- Baby food
- Cordless vacuums
- Water purification
- Solar energy harnessing
NASA is important to all things besides space. Even contributing to the advacements of the MRI, which is hugely important. The last thing the US needs is more budget cuts to NASA while the DoD keeps getting a raise. Their biggest threat, in my opinion, is suffering from a regression in science and tech research as well as education rather than military attacks. |
I think programs like NASA are important on more fundamental levels too - the level of applied research, engineering, and project and mission management required for efforts like the ISS, the Mars missions, the Shuttle (although that one has its detractors), etc, represent pinnacles of excellence and execution - we need to continually develop and improve our ability to execute massive, massively complex projects of this nature.
If you wanted to do massive earth-altering programs in the future, like say fusion reactors, climate engineering, meteor defence, off-planet resource harvesting, etc, you need the kinds of general skills an environment like NASA fosters. NASA is very space focused (obviously), but the disciplines it nurtures are hugely important to civilization.