What has the space program done for me.

[Ben W Bell]

A list of what the space program has done for normal people. Just an attempt to show people what it has done and that it is worth it. Feel free to add to this.

Non stick cooking utensils.
Computer technology.
Write anywhere pens.
New drugs and pharmaceuticals.
Advanced material design.
Communication satellites allowing for satellite TV and low cost international communications.
GPS technology which has had an impact on the civilian world and a massive one on the military world.
Better weather forecasting and storm warning systems.
Pretty pictures.
Advanced medical imaging technologies (based off technologies created for space telescopes) allowing for non invasive biopsy's and scanning.
New techniques for preventing muscle and bone atrophy for those who have weak bones or degenerative diseases.
Allowed for an increased knowledge of our own planet through orbital imaging.
Greatly increased our understanding of the universe around us.
Advanced battery research. Almost all modern batteries have been developed from power systems for space travel.
Smoke detectors (invented by NASA after the first fire in the Apollo program).
Home water filtration systems, developed for use in enclosed space capsules where normal filtration systems would be too bulky.
Modern insulation due to research into space program insulation materials.
Modern surgical laser systems.
Further advancement in the field of robotics.
Lightning and windshear protection for aircraft.
Monitoring of sea food stocks to allow for better fishing.
Personal respirator systems, offshoot development from space suit research.

 

[Bruce]

There is one aspect of the space program that is very personal to me.

My dad worked for NASA, or one of it's sub-contractors for decades.

This sent myself and my two brothers to college.

That is one thing the space prgram has done.

Plus you forgot TANG. We used to drink the HECK out of that stuff when we were kids.

Bruce
The man behind the curtain

 

[Ben W Bell]

Originally posted by Bruce:
Plus you forgot TANG. We used to drink the HECK out of that stuff when we were kids.

No, sorry you've lost me there.

 

[ACK!!]

Originally posted by Ben W Bell:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Bruce:
Plus you forgot TANG. We used to drink the HECK out of that stuff when we were kids.

No, sorry you've lost me there. </font>[/QUOTE]Orange-like drink that was developed initially for NASA I believe. Tastes like crap.

 

[eiladayn]

And we've only scratched the surface as to the benefits we would reap if the corporated world would just get involved and develop a plank for lifting their own stuff. Then orbital factories would become the norm, I believe.

Pappy

 

[DaveChase]

Dreams

The Space program has allowed us to continue our dreams of exploration, conquest, strange new worlds, weirder lifeforms and the idea of why dream it, live it.

Dreams = imagination

 

[Jame]

You said it Dave. And a hearty welcome to the boards!

 

[DaveChase]

Thanks.

Been reading for a while, finally felt like posting.


Dave

 

[Shiara]

Inspiration.

Shiara

 

[Pagan priest]

Bruce beat me to it, the space program put a swimming pool in the back yard of the house I was growing up in. (My dad helped make the engines for the Saturn 5)

 

[eiladayn]

Hi Dave glad to have you amongst us.

Pappy

 

[BetterThanLife]

Lets not forget composite materials. Corningware and Microwave Ovens. Corningware was originally developed as heat sheild material for space craft. Graphite composites which are stronger than steel and Aluminium and lighter than both and the major structural component of most modern aircraft and even some cars. Kevlar, which aside from bullet proof vests has also found its way into cars.

And my favorite by product of the space program. Post-It notes. (The glue that makes Post-Its work was a failed atempt to use an adhesive to hold components together under high heat. Apparently it didn't work as well when you got to normal temperatures so was shelved until someone was using paper with the glue to mark his bible. Then other members of his congregation wanted some and the demand sparked a marketing operation that quickly found a market for the failed glue.

 

[savage]

1. Velcro
2.peaceful political cooperation (soyut-apollo to ISS) building international community
3.assisted in the collapse of the USSR through StarWars


Savage

 

[graden1]

Originally posted by ACK:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Ben W Bell:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Bruce:
Plus you forgot TANG. We used to drink the HECK out of that stuff when we were kids.

No, sorry you've lost me there. </font>[/QUOTE]Orange-like drink that was developed initially for NASA I believe. Tastes like crap. </font>[/QUOTE]True, but it's like, high-tech semi-nutritious orange-flavored crap. And now, 40 years later, it's hardly been improved upon at all. What's the state of the art in '04? Crystal Light??? Get real. Let's face it--there won't be another quantum leap in orange-flavored crap technology without another big push into the second space age!