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On July 8th [pending any problems] of this year, at about 11:26 AM EST the final shuttle mission will lift off from Cape Canaveral. I remember the day in April 1981 [a little over 30 years] when Columbia lifted off the earth under her own power with only two brave men. Since that time we lost 2 shuttles [Challenger, and Columbia] and 14 brave souls [men, women, Americans, and others from other countries, AND the first U.S. civilian to go into space]. IF you have children PLEASE let them, encourage them to watch this historic event either on TV or on computer at NASA TV. It's hard to believe that this event will be happening in the same month that we celebrate the 42nd anniversary of mankind's greatest acomplishment, landing on the moon. WHAT our future holds for us now in Space Exploration I don't know, BUT I for one will miss seeing these grand ladies reaching for the stars.
IMO, the space program represents one of mankind's greatest achievements and best investments in our future. Hopefully the US will have the wisdom to continue it as a national priority.
YES it has been spent, BUT look at what has been gained in various technologies thruout the years.
Look at what the space program has done [not only the shuttle but Mercury Gemini AND Apollo as well as Skylab] Things you take today for granted were invented designed and used for the program [heck even the computers we use to post on here were because of the space program].
YES it has been spent, BUT look at what has been gained in various technologies thruout the years.
Look at what the space program has done [not only the shuttle but Mercury Gemini AND Apollo as well as Skylab] Things you take today for granted were invented designed and used for the program [heck even the computers we use to post on here were because of the space program].
NASA was formed in 1958, three years after transistors started replacing vacuum tubes in computers. Our research into computer technology would have gone ahead with or without space flight, and public use research for computers has, for the past couple of decades, raced far ahead of what our lagging and stagnant space technology provided any impetus for. And that includes probably 99% of the power and capacity and features of "computers we use to post on here". Space projects in recent years probably could have been run by computers bought at Best Buy, whose development was spurred by the public marketplace, not by NASA.
NASA was formed in 1958, three years after transistors started replacing vacuum tubes in computers. Our research into computer technology would have gone ahead with or without space flight, and public use research for computers has, for the past couple of decades, raced far ahead of what our lagging and stagnant space technology provided any impetus for. And that includes probably 99% of the power and capacity and features of "computers we use to post on here". Space projects in recent years probably could have been run by computers bought at Best Buy, whose development was spurred by the public marketplace, not by NASA.
NASA was formed in 1958, three years after transistors started replacing vacuum tubes in computers. Our research into computer technology would have gone ahead with or without space flight, and public use research for computers has, for the past couple of decades, raced far ahead of what our lagging and stagnant space technology provided any impetus for. And that includes probably 99% of the power and capacity and features of "computers we use to post on here". Space projects in recent years probably could have been run by computers bought at Best Buy, whose development was spurred by the public marketplace, not by NASA.
The computer was probably a bad example, and I think you're right that it would have gone ahead regardless.
However, there are quite a few things we still use that came out of the space program. Smoke detectors, scratch resistance coatings for glasses and charcoal/ionized silver water filters, for example.
NASA was formed in 1958, three years after transistors started replacing vacuum tubes in computers. Our research into computer technology would have gone ahead with or without space flight, and public use research for computers has, for the past couple of decades, raced far ahead of what our lagging and stagnant space technology provided any impetus for. And that includes probably 99% of the power and capacity and features of "computers we use to post on here". Space projects in recent years probably could have been run by computers bought at Best Buy, whose development was spurred by the public marketplace, not by NASA.
The work on applying light-emitting diodes in NASA space shuttle plant growth experiments led to the development of a hand-held, high-intensity, LED unit developed by Quantum Devices Inc. The WARP 10 is said to relieve minor muscle and joint pain, stiffness,and increases local blood circulation. The WARP 10 is being used by the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Navy as a noninvasive “soldier self-care” device for minor injuries and pain. The next-generation WARP 75 has been used to relieve pain in bone marrow transplant patients, and will be used to combat the symptoms of bone atrophy, multiple sclerosis, diabetic complications, Parkinson’s disease, and in a variety of ocular applications.[3]:10-11 Light-emitting diodes for medical purposes were inducted into the Space Foundation's Space Technology Hall of Fame in 2000. [edit] Infrared ear thermometers
Diatek Corporation and NASA developed an aural thermometer, which weighs 8 ounces (230 g) and uses infrared astronomy technology to measure the amount of energy emitted by the eardrum, the same way the temperature of stars and planets is measured. This method avoids contact with mucous membranes, and permits rapid temperature measurement of newborn or incapacitated patients. NASA supported the Diatek Corporation through the Technology Affiliates Program.[4] [edit] Ventricular assist device
Collaboration between NASA, Dr. Michael DeBakey, Dr. George Noon, and MicroMed Technology Inc. resulted in a heart pump for patients awaiting heart transplants. The MicroMed DeBakey ventricular assist device (VAD) functions as a “bridge to heart transplant” by pumping blood until a donor heart is available. The pump is approximately one-tenth the size of other currently marketed pulsatile VADs. Because of the pump’s small size, fewer patients developed device-related infections. It can operate up to 8 hours on batteries, giving patients the mobility to do normal, everyday activities.[5]
Advancements such as Environmental Robots Inc.’s development of artificial muscle systems[6] for use in NASA space robotic and extravehicular activities have been adapted to create more functionally dynamic artificial limbs. Other commercial uses of NASA’s temper foam include moldable materials offering the natural look and feel of flesh, as well as preventing friction between the skin and the prosthesis, and heat/moisture buildup.[3]:
Just to name a few AND many more. Oh and your IPod and fancy cellphone to add!!
However, there are quite a few things we still use that came out of the space program. Smoke detectors, scratch resistance coatings for glasses and charcoal/ionized silver water filters, for example.
At what cost? Were they worth it? You forgot Tang.
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