Posted on 04/19/2010 2:55:12 PM PDT by opentalk
What do all the things pictured on this page have in common? They all use technologies or materials that were originally developed for the space program.
TV Satellite Dish
NASA developed ways to correct errors in the signals coming from the spacecraft. This technology is used to reduce noise (that is, messed up picture or sound) in TV signals coming from satellites.
Medical Imaging
NASA developed ways to process signals from spacecraft to produce clearer images. (See more on digital information and how spacecraft send images from space.) This technology also makes possible these photo-like images of our insides.
Vision Screening System
Uses techniques developed for processing space pictures to examine eyes of children and find out quickly if they have any vision problems. The child doesn't have to say a word!
Fire Fighter Equipment Fire fighters wear suits made of fire resistant fabric developed for use in space suits.
Smoke Detector
First used in the Earth orbiting space station called Skylab (launched back in 1973) to help detect any toxic vapors. Now used in most homes and other buildings to warn people of fire.
Thermal Gloves and Boots
These gloves and boots have heating elements that run on rechargeable batteries worn on the inside wrist of the gloves or embedded in the sole of the ski boot. This technology was adapted from a spacesuit design for the Apollo astronauts.
Ski Boots
These ski boots use accordion-like folds, similar to the design of space suits, to allow the boot to flex without distortion, yet still give support and control for precision skiing.
more at link..
(Excerpt) Read more at spaceplace.nasa.gov ...
Washington - Obama Offers Millions in Muslim Technology Fund
The White House Friday highlighted a new multi-million-dollar technology fund for Muslim nations, following a pledge made by President Barack Obama in his landmark speech to the Islamic world.
The White House said the US Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) had issued a call for proposals for the fund, which will provide financing of between 25 and 150 million dollars for selected projects and funds.
Hell! Don’t forget the superabsorbent “long distance diaper” for love-crossed female astronauts achin’ for a breakin’ with that ‘other bitch’....
What about Tang?
And americans invented that cool pressurized pen for zero gravity while the Russians invented the pencil. Both do the job, but one is a heck of a lot cheaper, except for those danged shavings.
--Space Pens
The Fisher Space Pen was developed for use in space. Most pens depend on gravity to make the ink flow into the ball point. For this space pen, the ink cartridge contains pressured gas to push the ink toward the ball point. That means, you can lie in bed and write upside down with this pen! Also, it uses a special ink that works in very hot and very cold environments. --
There are many great inventions, May be the reason Obama is dialing down the program and investing in a Muslim technology fund.
NASA today is nothing more than a political jobs ping-pong ball bounced back and forth for political points, a bureaucratic jobs machine that serves self-interested employees and industry, and a complete structure that stifles explorative spirit. [I won't get into their bullshit climate politicks]
Give space back to people that deserve it.
U.S. to help Muslim countries with space technology
>>May be the reason Obama is dialing down the program and investing in a Muslim technology fund.<<
Which brings us back to the pencil...
All of these technologies were developed to get us into space.
Where are the technologies developed in space?
There is nothing that can be done in space that can't be done cheaper and faster right here on Earth.
“There is nothing that can be done in space that can’t be done cheaper and faster right here on Earth.”
You can see missles being launched from Russia or Iran from Earth?
Control GPS?
Send electronic data across the globe?
View weather patterns?
All this time, I thought that took satelites.
like I keep writing...
manned spaceflight,
has produced next to nothing
Like the mass production of very cheap and very efficient solar panels, or perfect ball bearings?
Read the NASA link or else give up just about everything you use and take for granted.
Thanks. You're right. I should have said there's nothing that can be manufactured in space that can't be done cheaper and faster right here on Earth.
Notice that none of these tasks you've mentioned requires a manned-space program.
Okay. I'll bite.
How much more efficient would these solar panels be and how much cheaper would they be than solar panels made here on Earth?
Right now, ball bearings are made by robotic factories that run 24/7/365 and require no human intervention except when something breaks.
How much more perfect would space-made ball bearings be than those made on Earth and how much cheaper would they be?
“What about Tang?”
No.
Urban myth. Flown on a few missions is all.
Usually it is invoked to belittle NASA contributions by the ignorant or those with private industry agendas seeking to belittle NASA.
Velcro and Teflon were also not invented by NASA.
Solar panels made on the Lunar surface would use plentiful silicon, solar power, and be made in a vacuum like the bearings -— vacuums make materials manufactured in it more efficient. Current solar panels are made in a man made vacuum slowly using very expensive equipment. No so on the moon — can crank them out as fast as one would spray paint... using similar process.
Both of these processes require no human intervention from start to finish and maybe even to return to Earth.
Suffice to say there are fortunes to be made, but because of the UN Space Treaty no company would be able to make a profit since they would be legally forced to give them away.
When you say that Earth-made ball bearings are slightly deformed, do you mean before or after they emerge from the forge? Before or after they emerge from the grinding/lapping machine?
You wrote that space-made solar panels would be more efficient and cheaper, but you did not supply any hard data to back up your statements.
Since both (Earth- and Moon-manufactured) are made with the same materials and both are made in a vacuum, how will the space-manufactured panels be more efficient?
Suffice to say there are fortunes to be made, but because of the UN Space Treaty no company would be able to make a profit since they would be legally forced to give them away.
So, if there's no profit from manufacturing in space, then no sane company is going to do it. That leaves, the government, which means you and I are going to pay for it.
Given the government's propensity for waste, cost-overruns and mis-management, how will that be cheaper and more efficient?
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