Why is the space program so important when millions of Americans need better health care, education etc.?

halestrm

Below is a list of just a few advances that we have thanks to NASA and the space program.

The most accurate topographical map of the Earth. This data is used to develop safer navigation techniques and better communication systems.

Ultraviolet protection suits for people with rare intolerance to UV light, known xeroderma pigmentosum.

Heart pump based on technology of space shuttle's fuel pumps. It's two inches long, one inch in diameter, and weighs less than four ounces.

Efficient autos and planes benefiting from NASA wind tunnel and aerodynamic expertise.

New metal alloys based on research for the space station program.

Thermal protection blankets used in everything from fire fighters suits to survival gear for cold environments.

Robots and robotic software with wide-ranging uses that include auto-assembly plants, hazardous material handling, monitoring in dangerous environments, distribution and packaging facilities, etc.

Lightweight composite materials that benefit cars, airplanes, camping gear, etc.

Perfect protein crystals grown in zero gravity; used for more pure pharmaceutical drugs, foods and an assortment of other crystalline-based products including insulin for diabetes patients.

Better understanding of the Earth and its environmental response to natural and human-induced variations such as air quality, climate, land use, food production as well as monitoring quality of our oceans and fresh water.

Commercial space communication systems for personal phones, computers, video transmissions, global positioning satellite systems, etc.

Improvements in energy use efficiency.

More responsible use of air and water in private and commercial buildings.

Automated maintenance functions for buildings and new lower-cost building construction techniques.

Smoke detectors for homes and commercial buildings.

There a thousands more. If we do not continue to research and strive for the stars, we will lose so much.

Dana1981, Master of Science

The space program gets a tiny portion of the federal budget. If you want to complain about misappropriation of funds, look at the military. They get nearly one-fifth of it! Science, space, and technology only gets 1%!!

http://www.publicagenda.org/issues/factfiles_detail.cfm?issue_type=federal_budget&list=8

Considering all the great technological advancements that have come from the space program (just look at zippers and velcro!), it's more than worth 1% of our budget. Can you say the same about 20% for the military?

Matt

The technology that has been discovered through funding of the space program makes it one of the better investments by our government. Something needs to pay for all this healthcare and education you mentioned. New technology with higher paying jobs provides the tax money needed to fund all these social programs.

Luchador

Look we get a lot of technology from the space program. There are far more things we waste money on. For example the millions and millions of dollars of pork that have been put in to all the other laws that have been passed in the last 20 years. Just like in law a congressman should not be able to pass money to his own district. It is a conflict of interest for him or her to get money for a company that has family works for.

Homeless in Phoenix

Yo can thank the space program for the computer you are using!

http://www.thespaceplace.com/nasa/spinoffs.html

Shane

Wrong, wrong, wrong! Many discoveries have come from the Space program that have improved the lives of Americans. How about the weather satellites that have predicted the course of hurricanes and saved hundreds, if not thousands of lives. Do you really want the Chinese or Russians to put the first man on Mars. The Space program has been great for American prestige. We were the first and only country to put men on the moon!

Many brilliant scientists are employed by NASA and we might lose them to other countries if we abandoned the Space program. Read the article in this week's about the need for our space program in Parade Magazine, or go to the web site and read it.

VPOC

The space program engineers work on problems which when resolved revolutionize industries and improve our standard of living and even our health; they have invented machines and materials that we use in our every day life and couldn't imagine living without. They are future-oriented, apolitical, and lead us all.

woody

The space program benifits all of us in many ways.Read up on it. We can always use better health care but @ what cost. On education some can't and or willnot learn. The more money we spend the worse it gets..

halfshaft

"Engineers and other feel good types."

That statement alone indicates that you have zero understanding about what you are even questioning.
Who do you think designed nearly every item you have in your home, your home itself, the roads you drive on, the car you drive, the airliner you fly, the television you watch, the computer that you typed this question on, even the software that doesn't judge the intelligence of the user.

morgansway3

You have an excellent point...I would like to see the answer on this one. I would assume that the information that they find out about space and our "outer surroundings" has a major impact on our planet and our well being as a planet. I'm only assuming of course.

chrispkreme333

so you don't want your cell phone, satelitte TV or other hi-tech gadgets that DO seriously improve our live everyday? Cause that is what the space program has brought us so far.

kunta kinte

as the majority of people who actually think can tell you.. the amount of technologies developed because of the space program is massive....we need more funding for the space program not less. it is also the final frontier... we have searched the lands, the seas... now its time to explore the BILLIONS of other planets (that because were are so special harbor no life.. right...please..). exploring the cosmos can give the people of earth the opportunity to focus on working together for a common goal rather then working for our mutual destruction... whats more important then world peace and harmony.. you decide..

btw.. did you just pick a catagory at random??? law enforcement and police - space program..hmmm

I Love Mutts

You are absolutely right. More money is spent on the NASholes then any other government program. Billions of dollars are wasted each year to test stupid things like how tomatoes will grow without gravity. Meanwhile our health care system is in shambles, children are going hungry, social services are a joke, and our education system is going to crash and burn. Who cares if a monkey can go to the moon??? How about taking care of the good people of this country and to hell with space exploration.

I saw a really great bumper sticker in a magazine once that went something to the effect of "It will be a great day in America when schools have an unlimited budget and NASA has to hold a bake sale for a new rocket"

mad_1240

you are so right but USA does not look at it like that.
they mess this planet up so bad that trying to find another
place to mess up. that what your hard tax money goes.

Moonrise

exactly.

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