Space exploration?

[awa355]

Does mankind benefit from continued exploring of space?

One side of the fence says a zillion people on earth could be fed everyday with the money spent. What is the purpose of continuing to spend money looking into the universe?

The other side claim this is expanding mans knowledge of the world as we know it. A lot of today's technology has been developed from the Space race.

Should probing space continue?

[Flip]

One day earths resources will be depleted and mankind will have to go to the stars or become extinct. We better start developing the technology now, by the time we need it, it will be too late.

[mashman]

Given that there's a need for people to be fed and enough food to do it, as well as a burning desire to explore... shame we're limited to one or t'other

[Akzle]

Given that there's a need for people to be fed and enough food to do it, as well as a burning desire to explore... shame we're * limited ** to one or t'other

*artificially
** by jews

[Moi]

Does mankind benefit from continued exploring of space?

One side of the fence says a zillion people on earth could be fed everyday with the money spent. What is the purpose of continuing to spend money looking into the universe?

The other side claim this is expanding mans knowledge of the world as we know it. A lot of today's technology has been developed from the Space race.

Should probing space continue?

Isn't it like wanting to know what's around the next corner? And that seems to be part of human nature...

[mossy1200]

The people that fund space flights don't want to spend money on hungry people.

[awa355]

Given that there's a need for people to be fed and enough food to do it, as well as a burning desire to explore... shame we're limited to one or t'other

Unfortunately, I don't think too much of the money spent on the space industry would ever had found its way to lifting poverty anywhere. The US military have probably profited from the technology far more than any other industry.

[awa355]

Isn't it like wanting to know what's around the next corner? And that seems to be part of human nature...

I find the photos from Pluto interesting. Shows there could be other planets etc with similar make up to earth.

[Flip]

There is easily enough food grown to feed the earths population. Its just either wasted or simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

[Moi]

I find the photos from Pluto interesting. Shows there could be other planets etc with similar make up to earth.

Just over 85 years ago Pluto didn't exist as far as mankind knew... what has happened in the scientific world in the last 100 years is amazing... and this is just another step on that amazing path...

Like the photos from the Hubble Space telescope...

[Moi]

There is easily enough food grown to feed the earths population. Its just either wasted or simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

or possibly eaten by those who have had more than their fair share...

[Akzle]

or possibly eaten by those who have had more than their fair share...

its all good though. As ocean will tell you, it goes to those worthy, those who can afford it.

[Voltaire]

Space exploration gave us awesome things like


and the Russian contribution to the problem with ink in space

[Oakie]

From Wiki - a list of 26 inventions that NASA has contributed to over the years:

• CAT Scanners: If you have ever been treated with a CAT scanner or know of a loved one who has, you have the space program to thank for this. This cancer-detecting tech was first used to find imperfections in space components.

• The Computer Microchip: Modern microchips descend from integrated circuits used in the Apollo Guidance Computer.

• Cordless Tools: If you have ever picked up a cordless tool you have NASA to thank for that. Power drills and vacuum cleaners were used to drill for moon samples.

• Ear Thermometers: Commonly used in hospitals, the technology used in the ear thermometers originated from a camera-like lens that detected infrared energy used to monitor the birth of stars.

• Freeze-dried food: This process reduces the food weight and increases the shelf life without sacrificing the nutritional value.

• Insulation: With winter on its way, I'm sure you can thank NASA for this one...!! Home insulation uses reflective materials that protects the spacecraft from radiation.

• Invisible braces (teeth): Teeth-straightening is less embarrassing thanks to transparent ceramic brace brackets made from spacecraft materials.

• Enriched baby food: NASA was experimenting with algae as a food supply for long space trips and found a component of algae has two fatty acids similar to those found in human breast milk. It led to the development of an enriched infant formula call Formulaid.

• The Joystick: Video Game enthusiast should know about this one... The joystick was first used on the Apollo Luner Rover.

• Light-Emitting Diodes (LED): Developed by NASA,the red light-emitting diodes were used to grow plants in space. Later this technology was developed in medical devices for muscle pain relief/relaxation, joint pain, arthritis and muscle spasms. Later generations of the technology are used to combat the symptoms of bone atrophy, multiple sclerosis, diabetic complications and Parkinson's disease.

• Memory Foam: I'm sure we've all seen the 'mattress TV commercials' highlighting this feature. This foam was first created for aircraft seats and helmets to soften landing and impact by absorbing shock and returning to its original shape.

• Scratch resistant lenses: Anybody who wears glasses, ski goggles, etc... can associate with this one. Astronaut helmet visor coatings make the lenses 10X more scratch resistant.

• Shoe insoles: Cushion insoles and even the air pocket found in most athletic shoes, first originated from NASA boot designs to lessen impact by adding spring and ventilation.

• Smoke detectors: You know that thing on the ceiling that beeps every time you open the oven...?? Turns out this lifesaving device (adjustable smoke detector) was also invented by NASA.

• Solar energy: I'm sure we all have seen solar panels on top of buildings, houses and even on our desk calculator... Harnessing the sun's solar energy as a power source originated with the efforts of a NASA-sponsored 28-member coalition of companies, government groups, universities and non-profits to form the Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology Alliance (ERAST). Their goal (at the time) was to develop an unmanned aircraft that was able to maintain high altitude flight for days at a time... the solution: harnessing the sun's energy for power.

• The Swimsuit: NASA used the same principles that reduce drage in space to help create the world's fastest swimsuit for Speedo. This design was rejected by some professionals for giving them an unfair advantage...

• Powdered Lubricants: NASA scientists developed a solid oil-free lubricant capable of operating at high temperatures with increased reliability, lowered weight, reduced maintenance, lower friction, reduces emissions and increased power...

• The water filter: I'm sure we have all used one of these things (i.e. Brita) NASA pioneered the technology to filter water and kill bacteria for water taken to space...

• Space Blankets: Silver and lightweight and resembling a giant sheet of aluminum foil, these sci-fi looking blankets are commonly used by mountain climbers and long-distance runners... they are even given out for free at almost every marathon.

• Land mine removal: NASA's surplus of rocket fuel is used to produce a flare that can safely destroy land mines. NASA is able to reduce propellant waste without negatively impacting the environment.

• The Soaper Soaker: If you don't know what this is then you didn't have a childhood....
The world's most famous squirt gun was invented by Lonnie G. Johnson, a nuclear engineer who worked for the US Air Force and NASA.

• Flame-resistant textiles: After the tragic Apollo 1 launch that killed three astronauts in a fire, NASA developed a line of fire-resistant textiles used in space suits and vehicles. Today they are commonly used by firefighters, motor sports and other applications.

• Thermometer Pill: NASA developed an ingestible pill in the 1980s that wirelessly monitors the astronaut's core body temperature from the inside. Today this tech is used by athletic teams and professionals to monitor and keep the players safe.

• Conditioning equipment (work-out machines): Commonly seen and used at fitness gyms, athletic departments and by physical therapists around the world. These machines were developed by NASA to keep the astronaut physically fit and to prevent muscle atrophy in zero gravity environments.

• Long distance telecommunications: Do you own a smartphone or ever made a long distance phone call...?? Before humans were even sent into space, NASA launched a bunch of satellites into Earth's orbit to monitor space and communicate to scientist on the ground. Overtime this technique/technology was adopted to over 200 communication satellites that connect us to our loved ones everyday...

• Highway safety grooving: Admit it... you (like me) have driven late at night and accidentally drifted to the shoulder of the road driving over this grooving... or maybe you noticed the gooving pattern on the road when approaching a stop sign. Either way, Safety Grooving was first experimented by NASA back in the 1960s as a way to improve safety for aircraft taking off on wet runways. According to NASA, safety gooving reduced highway accidents by 85% after going into effect...

[Motu]

I think it's very important - I've got to get home somehow.