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. |
Hell, the James Webb Space Telescope hasn't even been launched yet, but technologies developed when working on its 18 panels have led to advances in optical mapping technologies that are already benefiting those that require laser eye surgery and/or contact lenses. This thing isn't even launched yet, and won't be for a few years yet, and people are
already experiencing the windfall from it, without that windfall even being the expected target of the program.
And, though not specifically related to NASA, other curiosity-driven scientific research has led to breakthroughs most people take for granted every single day: Einstein's though experiments (which relativity basically was until technology was developed that could adequately test it) allow GPS systems the world over to function. Wi-fi technology was the direct result of the hunt for the radio waves evaporating black holes were though to give off.
It's as if some people (and I'm not specifically referring to FlamesAddiction here, but those in the more general public) can't see the worth of scientific research and discovery unless the stated goal is to enhance their life today -- not tomorrow,
today -- and develop a very specific product out of it. It's sometimes frustrating to see such a vast swathe of humanity so mundanely bound to the world-bubbles they've constructed around themselves.