Gransnet forums

Chat

Was it worth it?

(5 Posts)
Morgana Wed 30-Nov-16 19:26:40

DH was watching a film this afternoon about how the Americans went into space and I got to wondering whether it was all worth it. What did we learn and could the money have been better spent elsewhere?

thatbags Wed 30-Nov-16 19:47:20

I think quite a lot has been learned from space travel that has turned out to be useful in other areas, such as surgery, growing food, and useful, now everyday technology.

thatbags Wed 30-Nov-16 19:47:58

I think we got advances in harnessing solar energy from the research done for space travel.

thatbags Wed 30-Nov-16 19:49:13

I think it's still worth it. I love human inquisitiveness.

Elegran Wed 30-Nov-16 20:16:21

Here is a list of spinoffs from space programmes en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA_spin-off_technologies

It includes memory foam, freeze-dried food, firefighting equipment, emergency "space blankets", Dustbusters, cochlear implants, and more.