Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Stargazing vs Navel-gazing
...or we can just stay home and think about how eeevil we are
For those whose sense o’ wonder is two sizes too small, NASA has compiled a partial list of things originated by the Space Program that benefit you, right here on earth. A Selected List:
WINDOWS VISUAL NEWS READER (Win Vn)
VIRTUAL REALITY
AIR QUALITY MONITOR
WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEM
SCRATCH-RESISTANT LENSES
PORTABLE COOLERS/WARMERS
VOICE-CONTROLLED WHEELCHAIRDustbuster, shock-absorbing helmets, home security systems, smoke detectors, flat panel televisions, high-density batteries, trash compactors, food packaging and freeze-dried technology, cool sportswear, sports bras, hair styling appliances, fogless ski goggles, self-adjusting sunglasses, composite golf clubs, hang gliders, art preservation, and quartz crystal timing equipment.
Arteriosclerosis detection, triple-redundancy vital sign monitoring, ultrasound scanners, automatic insulin pump, portable x-ray device, invisible braces, dental arch wire, palate surgery technology, clean room apparel, implantable heart aid, MRI, bone analyzer, and cataract surgery tools.
Gasoline vapor recovery, self-locking fasteners, machine tool software, laser wire stripper, lubricant coating process, wireless communications, engine coatings
Storm warning services (Doppler radar), firefighters’ radios, lead poison detection, fire detector, flame detector, corrosion protection coating, protective clothing, and robotic hands.
During the Apollo Program, there was a study that demonstrated that for every $1 of taxes spent by the Space Program, $14 was returned to the economy. Find another investment that does half that well on returns and I’ll plunk down all my money…
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