Can anyone tell me what NASA does to benefit us?

Question

I admit that I read Dan Brown's book Deception point that brought this up in my mind. I personally don't believe we'll colonize the moon and Mars. I don't know what benefit there is to knowing that there are planets out there that we can take pictures of. I don't know much about NASA, so can someone tell me why we spend billions of dollars on the space program?? Has it given us anything? Satelites are the only thing I can think of that touches my daily life.

Answer 1

NASA contributes so much to our lives at a reasonable monetary cost.

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/technol...

Answer 2

It's really hard to quantify what NASA does to benefit us since it doesn't produce any noticeable benefit to our life right now. If someone had once told me twenty years ago that we can now produce coherent light, I would have said, "So what, what does that do for me?" Many years later, coherent light, also known as lasers, have been used in a wide variety of devices, many which benefit man directly, be it entertainment or communication. Similarly for the technology that NASA develops for its space program. For example, their research into self-sustaining food supplies for astronauts may someday benefit mankind, as well as make it possible for those who wish to leave the earth. Communication devices used by NASA scientists also trickle down and a new type of ultra-fast medium may yet be found that will revolutionize our communications. As for the money aspect, people tend to think that the money is wasted.....well, first of all, if we don't spend money developing new technologies then someone else will, and we will have to pay for it. Also, the lion's share of that money goes right back into the hands of AMERICANS, so the money is never thrown away. Can you imagine the entire workforce of NASA suddenly being unemployed because you don't see the need? How would that benefit us?

Answer 3

The first A in NASA stands for aeronautics. NASA has done a lot of research to improve the safety, comfort and performance of airliners for example. Less than half of NASA's budget goes to the space shuttle and space station. The rest goes to basic science, educational programs, and other things. And NASA employs lots of people. It is a government jobs program.

How much is manned space flight worth? At least as much as professional football, don't you think? I believe the NFL costs more than NASA. How about art, music, pets, gardening and other things people do. Should we give all that up because it doesn't feed people? I don't think so. NASA is my pet, garden and football. Don't try to take it away from me!

Finally, other countries are developing space too. If we give up on it then our grand children will drive their imported car to the space port to catch a foreign made space plane for their vacation in New Beijing, the big Moon base and tourist trap. Do you really want that?

Answer 4

NASA(in specific) and area exploration(traditionally) are the one hopes for the long run survival of human race. To make certain our long run survival, we have to move out of earth to seek out different habitable locations and get in a position to shift our dwelling to the newly found liveable place(s). To do that, space exploration is the one option. NASA is planning to use the moon as lauch pad for inter-planetary and inter-stellar travel. To do that, we ought to comprehend more in regards to the Moon. NASA is spending for mars exploration on account that mars could also be our dwelling in future as earth becomes uninhabitable. NASA is doing precisely this. So, not even a cent spent by using NASA is a waste of cash. Furthermore, NASA's finances for the 12 months 2009 is handiest zero.Fifty five% of the USA Federal funds.

Answer 5

NASA(in specific) and area exploration(customarily) are the only hopes for the long term survival of human race. to establish our long term survival, we ought to bypass out of earth to discover different liveable places and prepare to shift our homestead to the newly discovered liveable place(s). to try this, area exploration is the only selection. NASA is making plans to apply the moon as lauch pad for inter-planetary and inter-stellar holiday. to try this, we must be attentive to greater on the subject of the Moon. NASA is spending for mars exploration because of the fact mars could be our homestead in destiny as earth turns into uninhabitable. NASA is doing precisely this. So, not even a cent spent by using NASA is a waste of money. apart from, NASA's cost selection for the year 2009 is purely 0.55% of the US Federal cost selection.

Answer 6

Space research is like stretching ourselves to the edge of technology and forcing ourselves to come up with better, sophesticated ways of dealing with things.
Let me put it this way. Below is a list of things that are nasa spin offs. These are the products of research started basically for space research but eventually found place in everyday use.

1.Ground processing scheduling system
2.Semiconductor cubing
3.Structural analysis used for manufacturing.
4.Air quality monitor
5.Virtual reality
6.Digital imaging breast biopsy system
7.Breast cancer detection:- A solar cell sensor is positioned directly beneath x-ray film, and determines exactly when film has received sufficient radiation and has been exposed to optimum density.
8.Medical gas analyzer
9.Voice-controlled wheelchair for disabled.
10.Enriched baby food
11.Advanced Water purification system
12.Scratch-resistant lenses
13.Pool purification
14.Ribbed swimsuit:- Nasa-developed riblets applied to competition swimsuits resulted in flume testing of 10 to 15 percent faster speeds than any other world class swim-suit
15.Golf ball aerodynamics
16.Portable coolers/warmers
17.Sports training:- Space-developed cardio-muscular conditioner helps athletes increase muscular strength and cardiovascular fitness through kinetic exercise.
18.Athletic shoes - moon boot material encapsulated in running shoe midsoles improve shock absorption and provides superior stability and motion control.
19.Dustbuster,
20.Home security systems,
21.Smoke detectors,
22.High-density batteries,
23.Food packaging and freeze-dried technology,
24.Fogless ski goggles,
25.Solar energy
26.Weather forecasting aid
27.Forest management - a nasa-initiated satellite scanning system monitors and maps forestation by detecting radiation reflected and emitted from trees.
28.Wind monitor
29.Plant research

These are just a few. You can google the NASA spin offs and learn more. There is a long list of things, that are products of space research.

Answer 7

Weather prediction, satelite technology both military and private, science experiments that requires zero gravity for our government, foreign countries and private corporation.

No I don't believe we will colonize the moon and Mars also.

Answer 8

It is a big distraction so that the American people don't see what's already messed up here on earth. i know that it encouraged a lot of patriotism back when we were competing with the Soviets during the space race, but thats over now, and all it's doing is wasting money that can be spent on millions of other problems we have to deal with.

Answer 9

There have many discoveries and improvements due to the space program. If you're really interested see the link below.

Answer 10

They did an experiment in space making perfectly round ball bearings. That would be a great benifit to mankind, since ball bearings make the world go round.