"Space Program Improves Life on Earth"

[texbaylea]

I thought I would pass on the following article with the title I quoted. I get tired of people bashing NASA without understanding what we all gain from it.

Space Benefits

Please realize that the things mentioned are only part of what NASA has contributed to our lives.

Vernon
NASA Retired

 

[LMTC]

So are you saying that if we disagree with the amount of money spent by NASA we are "without understanding"? I'm just curious, as that seems implicit in your remarks.

 

[allenr]

I don't pay any taxes to help fund NASA - at least I don't think I do.
Maybe that helps me to maintain an open mind on the issue.

However we're also told that motor racing improves our cars - I don't buy it.

Tractors and trucks have been refined, economy and power improved without the help of racing.

In the current climate I really think we need to question some of our pursuits,
motor racing among them.

I dare say I'll be howled down but I think I'm strong enough to take it!

 

[texbaylea]

So are you saying that if we disagree with the amount of money spent by NASA we are "without understanding"? I'm just curious, as that seems implicit in your remarks.

You are broadening the scope of my comment. The article brought out things I was not aware of and that there is a large return on investment from the NASA program. The NASA budget has not been "wasted on space" but has been spent here at home.

I do not know if you smoke but I doubt that your "share" of the NASA budget amounts to more than a few packs of cigarettes.


Vernon
NASA retired

 

[LMTC]

You are broadening the scope of my comment. The article brought out things I was not aware of and that there is a large return on investment from the NASA program. The NASA budget has not been "wasted on space" but has been spent here at home.

I do not know if you smoke but I doubt that your "share" of the NASA budget amounts to more than a few packs of cigarettes.


Vernon
NASA retired

I didn't broaden the scope of anything. I asked a very direct question...are you saying? I did comment that to me it seemed implicit that you were saying that, and that is why I asked for clarification. My "share" is immaterial, and it is not the question I asked. I will try restate more clearly---when you say you "get tired of people bashing NASA without understanding what we all gain from it" are you also saying that you believe that all those who disagree with the NASA program(s) are "without understanding"? In either case could you point out some specific examples of people (or sites) that "bash" NASA without understanding?

And what does it matter that my "share" is small (at least as you put it)? Does that diminish my right to have an opinion about where my tax dollars are spent? Is your "share" greater, thus giving your opinion more standing?

You began this thread by making a demeaning comment about people who might disapprove of NASA spending. Might have been much better to simply say "Hey, look at this stuff that came out of the NASA programs. I wasn't aware of all of this". Why the need to make clear implication that those who disagree just don't understand?

 

[mjarrels]

I like Tang.

mark

 

[California]

Still using the Corelle dinnerware we got as wedding presents in 1973.

I don't think we've ever chipped one.

(Corelle was derived from the shuttle belly tiles).

 

[AndyM]

I thought I would pass on the following article with the title I quoted. I get tired of people bashing NASA without understanding what we all gain from it.

Space Benefits

Please realize that the things mentioned are only part of what NASA has contributed to our lives.

Still using the Corelle dinnerware we got as wedding presents in 1973.

I don't think we've ever chipped one.

(Corelle was derived from the shuttle belly tiles).

Government (taxpayer) funded research and development for consumer products?
If the space program is so beneficial in all of the areas mentioned, maybe these industries should be funding it. Just a thought.

 

[California]

Government (taxpayer) funded research and development for consumer products?
If the space program is so beneficial in all of the areas mentioned, maybe these industries should be funding it. Just a thought.

I think it went more like this: NASA contracted Corning to invent heat shield tiles, with a provision that Corning could subsequently use the technology as it wished. A lot of government-funded research is like that. The contractors include their expected future benefits, in calculating what to charge the government for the initial contract. I think it would be pointless for government to spend all that money then lock up future development rights as exclusive government property, when they can't anticipate what future applications might evolve.

If you priced out the space program narrowly in terms of the resale price of moon dust brought back or something like that, of course it wouldn't make economic sense. Add indirect benefits such as the widespread use of microprocessors today, or the international prestige gained by being first in anything major, and you have a far wider benefits base to compare cost against. I'm old enough to remember the sudden fear that we had been overtaken, when Russia got Sputnik in earth orbit before we had the capability to orbit anything. That had a major influence on space spending. Right or wrong, we've spent a lot of money to maintain a lead ever since.

But then everybody knows that the moon landings were done indoors on a sound stage in Hollywood.

 

[MossRoad]

I like Tang.

mark

I used to when I was a kid, but really, when you think about it, it isn't so good.

Still using the Corelle dinnerware we got as wedding presents in 1973.

I don't think we've ever chipped one.

(Corelle was derived from the shuttle belly tiles).

I took one of my wife's corelle plates out of the microwave and set it in the sink because I burned my hand. I then turned on the cold water to stick my hand under it and the water hit the plate. The plate exploded into a bazillion bits of sharp shards. Scary stuff.

I thought I would pass on the following article with the title I quoted. I get tired of people bashing NASA without understanding what we all gain from it....

While I do find lots of good things that have come out of the space program, I also find lots of scientific research funded by tax dollars that is sometimes just plain nuts. As a person that is reasonably responsible with my own money, I can't stand to see money spent unwisely by anyone, be it an individual, company or governmet agency. Of course, my version of "unwisely" may not be the same as another's.