2006-07-02 05:16:55 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Mostly, yes. It's a typical government program -- horribly inefficient.
2006-07-02 05:41:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, it is not a waste!
NASA's budget is small compared to other parts of the Federal Budget. While it is not a money making operation, it is not like we are stuffing all of the money in a rocket and launching into space. The money is used and results are gained from it.
One of the biggest image problems that NASA has is the inability to clearly state the many and invaluable contributions to the world that come either directly from NASA or are developed from NASA research, engineers and technology.
In addition to providing many high level career opportunities, generating tourism dollars for local communities with NASA facilities, many of the things that we use in everyday life were developed directly for a NASA mission.
Portable and cordless drills and other tools were created and used for the Apollo Mission. Mylar which is used in insulating blankets was also developed by NASA.
A new kind of rescue tool - Life Shears - is being used by EMS and fire departments for getting people out of wrecked vehicles was developed initially for the Space Shuttle program.
The idea of grooved highways for better traction in wet weather was used by NASA in runways,
The switches that activate air bags in cars were developed by NASA engineers.
Weather Satellites are essential technology with the increased threat of hurricanes.
NASA holds thousands of patents and as a federal institution anyone can license and develop products based on these technologies. Hundreds of companies have done so, creating thousands of jobs.
NASA imagery are used by many companies to develop and sell, books, calendars t-shirts, providing additional jobs and tax collections
One of the most forgotten parts of NASA is that it also responsible for Aeronautics as well as space. As a result NASA is always investigating and studying ways to make flying more efficient and safer.
For some more information:
http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/technologies/spinoffs.html
2006-07-05 14:44:52 · answer #2 · answered by Cincinnatus 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think NASA is a waste of money. NASA makes valuable discoveries and the money helps to satisfy our curiosity about what is out there in the universe. I think humans just have a need to find out things like this.
2006-07-02 12:29:50 · answer #3 · answered by 1234abcd 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think exploration is part of our nature, always has been. The future is not just next year or the next ten or hundred years. We need to know things to prepare for the possibility that we may need to inhabit other worlds.
Probably people thought Lewis and Clark were wasting money. Or Columbus. Or Megellan. I'm sure at their time people thought it was a waste going off into the unknown.
2006-07-02 12:27:27 · answer #4 · answered by Rick 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not a waste of money. However, billions of dollars are being wasted on sending rockets into space while millions of people are starving to death, and thousands are dying from AIDS, cancer and malaria every day. And still, almost no money is spent on solving those issues.
2006-07-02 12:27:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
not a waste necessarily. but how do you justify the spending on something like that when there are so many starving, and / or homeless people in this country. i wish this country would fix all of its problems before delving into all the outside things such as space research, third world countries and such... its very sad when you think about it.
2006-07-02 13:47:30 · answer #6 · answered by JUDAS PRIEST 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't think it's a waste, i'm sure there is some abuse of funds, like any other organization. there's alot of benefits we're all aware of, but i like the idea if an asteroid ever threatens our planet, with the space program, we would have a chance to ensure our continued existence.
2006-07-02 14:17:52 · answer #7 · answered by mcfalcon59 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its expensive. People have a need to explore, and this is the ultimate way, besides without the space program we wouldnt have satellites which provide us with so much info...
2006-07-02 12:20:52 · answer #8 · answered by microsvc 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think it's a big waste of money. the only good thing that's come out of it are satellites. but the worse thing to me are all the precious lives lost all in the name of space exploration.
2006-07-02 12:28:35 · answer #9 · answered by amethystlady2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No so many things has been improved on because of it that life would be tough without the experimentation, not counting the education that is gained.
2006-07-02 12:20:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋