What has space exploration done to improve your life, if you think it has?

Question

Should the UN take control of the space program, on behalf of all mankind rather than the benefit of a few rich nations? Thank you !

Answer 1

You need to go to NASA's STI webpages and look at all the things they have invented that we use in our daily lives. And, look at all the research and development they are doing now. They do not just launch rockets. They invent, create and design the systems on those rockets, and everyone from communications to airlines to hospitals snatches up the technology NASA invents to provide products which improve our quality of life. You're probably wanting examples, this forum is too small to list them all. Visit the following link to get started on getting to some impressive info.

And, as far as the UN goes, it is just a bigger version of our US Congress. Sure they're all working towards the same goal, as long as the people each member represents gets taken care of first. It's just bureaucracy on a bigger scale.

Answer 2

to answer your 2 questions.

1. Almost everything you use today has been developed for the space program.

Your computer was designed for the military and for the space program, the microwave you use to eat your popcorn, your cell phone, when you look at google earth to see where something is, when you get your weather forcasts to see if it is going to be stormy or clear (think how bad hurricane katrina would have been w/out weather satelights and no warning). Airbags in your cars, all of the current medical equipment used in hospitals came out of spin off from the space program. Teflon in your cooking pans, and your great new running shoes come from designs for the NASA astronauts boots. The development of space has paid back the world about 10X the amount of money put into it.

Your second question, I do not believe that the space program should be in ANY governments control. By having the government in charge of the space program it causes higher costs, and a much more exclusive area. I believe that space development needs to be opened to private companies, and then to let the free market determine prices and let innovation lead the way.

Answer 3

Well as much as think space is cool and it has helped me realize that there are things so much bigger and greater than myself or humanity, at this point in time I feel America needs to use that money for other things like better health care and better education. American education and health care is in shambles.

The UN has bigger things on their plate than to worry about space exploration. Things would likely not change if the UN did have control. It would still most likely be the privilege of richer nations.

Answer 4

Space exploration alerted us to the greenhouse effect (see Venus), the dangers of UV rays and ozone depletion (see Mars), and also gave us Pyrex glass.

Additionally, it lets us know (paraphrasing Carl Sagan here) how pitifully small our planet is compared with the vastness of space, encouraging us to cherish it.

That's just off the top of my head. I'm sure there are many more benefits I haven't thought of.

Answer 5

It brought us the deliciously horrible orange-flavored drink TANG. We can also thank the space program for Velcro, microwave ovens, and those sweet Tempurpedic foam mattresses. I guess three out of four isn't so bad.