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Yes! But we have Velcro and Tang now!

Who knows what other wonders await us... <\s>

Attempting to explore space is one of the more noble things that man has ever done, or will ever do. Why? Because we are doing it merely because we want to know, we want to see. It is kind of like art: whether there is a practical purpose for it or not, it is a sign of a people who are concerned with more than mere existence. And, as it is also one of the more difficult things mankind has ever attempted, it also produces a much greater number of technological developments than velcro (apparently Tang was NOT a space program invention).

Here is a list of some of those inventions:

http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/spinoffs2.shtml

TV Satellite Dish

Medical Imaging

Ear Thermometer

Fire Fighter Equipment

Smoke Detector

Sun Tiger Glasses

Automobile Design Tools

Cordless Tools

Aerodynamic Bicycle Wheel

Thermal Gloves and Boots

Shock Absorbing Helmets

Invisible Braces

Joystick Controllers

Advanced Plastics

“Why? Because we are doing it merely because we want to know, we want to see.”

Oh, please. Everyone knows why the federal government poured money into the space program, and it wasn’t for love of knowledge.

14 inventions! That is amazing. Plus, of course, velcro and Tang. Plus a bag of rocks.

The projected lifetime cost of the Shuttle program alone is $173 Billion. I don’t know the cost of the earlier programs.

That is roughly 10 billion per invention. I’d love to have my share back.

Noble? I hope you typed that in a hushed voice with Star Trek music in the background. Art is way cheaper.

I do favor missile technology, which should be the purpose of NASA.

Every single one of those would have been invented without the space program for 100 times less money in development.

The question is what inventions have been pushed out because of the huge waste of capital devoted to the space program.

Military OK but driving a car on the moon or driving a golf ball.

What is the point again?