Space agencies, governments, researchers and commentators have isolated a large number of direct and indirect benefits of space exploration programs including:
- New technologies that can be utilized in other industries and society (such as the development of communications...
- Improved knowledge of space and the origin of the universe
- Cultural benefits
What are the advantages and disadvantages of space exploration?
- We have a better idea about the age of the universe (around 13.7 billion years).
- Images of the deep universe show that there are thousands of galaxies out there.
- It helped us to discover four of the five moons that orbit Pluto.
- We have a better understanding of planetary seasons in our universe.
Why we should invest in space exploration?
space exploration, such as those related to miniaturisation, will drive improvements in other space systems and services resulting in higher performance and lower cost. These will in turn result in better services on Earth and better return of investment in institutional and commercial space activities.
Is now the time to invest in space exploration?
The barriers to space exploration have been astronomical, but the technology has finally arrived and accelerated our ambitions.For the first time ever, the final frontier looks approachable for both individuals and businesses.
What are the benefits of the space program?
Benefits of Space Program. For decades vast resources have been expended, as well as energy and talent into space exploration. Despite of high costs, space programs in different nations have produced significant rewards with regards to technology. In fact, a number of technological advancements are as a result of space exploration.
What are the areas of NASA?
The areas in which NASA-developed technologies benefit society can broadly be defined as: health and medicine, transportation, public safety, consumer goods, environmental and agricultural resources, computer technology and industrial productivity. Since 1976, the annual NASA publication Spinoff has detailed the influence and impact on society ...
How many lives did the parachute save?
To date, the parachute system is credited with saving more than 200 lives. 2005: Two NASA Kennedy Space Center scientists and three faculty members from the University of Central Florida teamed up to develop NASA’s Government and Commercial Invention of the Year for 2005, the Emulsified Zero-Valent Iron (EZVI) Technology.
What is NASA spinoff?
Since 1976, the annual NASA publication Spinoff has detailed the influence and impact on society of agency activities. More detail on these and other programs, technologies and spinoffs can be accessed through NASA’s Spinoff data base or accessed on NASA’s Web site, www.nasa.gov. Also, since 1990, NASA has recognized its “Government ...
How many spinoffs has NASA had?
Thus far, NASA has documented more than 1,500 spinoff success stories. Despite NASA’s record of technological achievement, one of the common complaints from NASA’s advocates is that the agency does not publicize enough of the practical benefits of what it does.
Why was the spinoff invented?
The term “spinoff” was invented to describe specific technologies developed by NASA for its missions that are transferred for commercial use or some other beneficial application.
What is the NASA software of the year 2000?
2000: NASA’s “Software of the Year” award went to Internet-based Global Differential GPS (IGDG), a C-language package that provides an end-to-end system capability for GPS-based real-time positioning and orbit determination.
What is NASA's mandate?
The act requires that NASA provide the widest practicable and appropriate dissemination of information concerning its activities and results.
BOOKS AND MULTIMEDIA
Baker, David. Scientific American Inventions From Outer Space: Everyday Uses for NASA Technology. New York, NY: Random House, 2000. T212 .B33 2000 BOOKSTACKS
E-BOOKS
All e-books listed here are available to NASA civil servants and contractors through the Books 24x7 service of SATERN.
What was the goal of NASA in the 1960s?
This effort developed technologies that were incorporated into the fabric of our lives. NASA led the way and collaborated with thousands of partners to make it happen. The result is a multitude of products that stem from NASA’s research and discoveries.
What is the space shuttle responsible for?
Each leap added more life-altering developments that we didn’t even notice. The space shuttle is responsible for grooved pavement on highways to reduce hydroplaning. Workout gym equipment was developed to keep astronauts healthy during long stays on the International Space Station. How many lives have these saved?
What will be the biggest impact on Mars?
The biggest impact may be in fuel. In order to get to Mars, we will need to be able to produce fuel with the materials found in space. There were no dinosaurs on the moon, so other fuels will be developed. The most likely will be hydrogen-based fuel derived from water. This will ultimately eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels here on earth.
What are the benefits of space exploration?
There is a well known litany of improvements in space applications and space science, as well as the benefits to technology development and basic research in physical sciences. These are the generally visible and often discussed benefits. There are also numerous indirect and less well known benefits that accrue to society. The stimulation of electronics miniaturization, for example, contributes to improvements in medicine, manufacturing processes, and many new forms of automation. New materials development provides advances in aeronautical, maritime and terrestrial transportation and communication systems. In the past 30 years, these developments have also: (1) stimulated improved and expanded educational and research programs: (2) created new organizations: (3) generated jobs: and (4) fostered new forms and sources of national and personal pride and prestige. Rarely is there articulation of the more metaphysical aspects of the philosophical and psychological benefits of the exploration and use of space for society. While this paper touches on many primary, secondary and tertiary physical and industrial benefits, it also deals with the more ephemeral and philosophical benefits that are infrequently explored. Although fascinating stories of courageous development programs in astronautics can be told of programs in Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico and other countries, there is perhaps no story as dramatic as the story of India as it undertook and pursued major space program development over the past 30 years. Examined in some detail, the story of India indicates clearly how participation in space exploration and use produces benefits to a national society as well as to the international soceity of mankind. Creation of a success spiral, reinforced by a skills-building cycle, produces national societies that can be proud, productive, and can contribute to the health and vigor of the world society.
What are the benefits of miniaturization?
The stimulation of electronics miniaturization, for example, contributes to improvements in medicine, manufacturing processes, and many new forms of automation.
What is the purpose of national governmental studies and international conferences?
In addition to reports in periodicals dedicated to reporting or discussing space program achievements and benefits, including those cited in the following notes, national governmental studies and international conferences have been conducted to collect and report information on the benefits of space programs to society.
Is India a leader in space?
Today, India is a world leader in industrial devel- opment; it operates centers of advanced research, and launches Indian-built spacecraft on Indian-built launch vehicles. India is among the top ten nations of the world in space operations and technology devel- opment.
What is NASA learning about the space station?
With astronauts living and working aboard the International Space Station, NASA is learning a great deal about what it takes to create and test critical systems, efficient communications technologies and protections for the human body for a deep space mission, all of which is critical in our journey to Mars. A decade ago, the station was also designated as a national lab with some of the research time aboard the orbiting laboratory dedicated to help us here on Earth, as well.
How to prevent bone loss in space?
Preventing bone loss through diet and exercise. In the early days of the space station, astronauts were losing about one-and-a-half percent of their total bone mass density per month. Researchers discovered an opportunity to identify the mechanisms that control bones at a cellular level.
How many images does the ISERV station collect?
Since the station passes over more than 90 percent of the Earth’s populated areas every 24 hours, the ISERV system was available to provide imagery to developing nations quickly, collecting up to 1,000 images per day.
How far above Earth is the International Space Station?
For astronauts in orbit about 250 miles above Earth aboard the International Space Station, that problem was addressed through the Advanced Diagnostic Ultrasound in Microgravity ( ADUM) investigation.
What is the IGAR in the space station?
The Image-Guided Autonomous Robot ( IGAR) works inside an MRI machine to help accurately identify the size and location of a tumor. Using IGAR, surgeons also will be able to perform highly dexterous, precise movements during biopsies.
What is the new commercial pathway for space?
An exciting new commercial pathway is revolutionizing and opening access to space, fostering America’s new space economy in low-Earth orbit. For the first time, the market is expressing what research can and should be done aboard the microgravity laboratory without direct government funding. The Center for Advancement of Science in Space, or CASIS, manages half of the crew research time via the ISS National Laboratory and is filling the pipeline with a wide variety of commercial research and payloads. More than two-thirds of these projects to date have required zero funding from CASIS, and that trend is increasing. In addition, a significant portion of the commercial research taking place aboard the station is made possible by NanoRacks hardware. The company has invested privately and raised capital to provide laboratory facilities for small payloads, including CubeSats deployed from the space station, that make research faster and more affordable. NASA’s move to purchase commercial cargo resupply and crew transportation to the space station enables U.S. businesses to develop a competitive capability they also can sell as a service to others while freeing NASA resources for deep space exploration. Private sector participation provides a new model for moving forward in partnership with the government.
What pathogens are virulent in space?
While studying them in space, scientists found a pathway for bacterial pathogens to become virulent. Researchers identified the genetic pathway activating in Salmonella bacteria, allowing the increased likelihood to spread in microgravity.
Space spending pays off
If someone is arguing that public funds should be spent on solving the world’s problems, they should know that money spent on NASA positively impacts the U.S. economy. We get the same kind of payoff for space spending in other countries.
Space research directly impacts Earthly problems
When people apply themselves to the challenges of exploring space, they make discoveries that can help the world in other ways too. Studying how we might grow food in orbit or on Mars yields insights into growing food in extreme conditions on Earth, generating knowledge that can help mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Studying space helps us understand our own world
Studying the cosmos gives us an important perspective shift. When we learn about what lies beyond Earth, it gives us context for understanding our own planet. Studying the other worlds of our solar system and beyond makes it clear that Earth is a precious oasis for life.
Studying space may one day save us all
All the social and environmental progress in the world won't help us if an asteroid impacts the Earth. We have to explore space to find and study the asteroids and comets in our cosmic neighborhood if we want to make sure we can defend our planet if an object ever heads our way.
Space is inspiring
Not every child who dreams of becoming an astronaut will get that opportunity. This is a sad truth that many of us know from experience.
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How does space help the economy?
Space programs are increasing economic benefits, and not just in the commercial sector but also the social. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found that the implementation of space activities created new revenue streams for firms, often beyond the space sector. It’s spaceonomics with societal benefits.
What is digitalization in space?
Digitalization is transforming space manufacturing activities, downstream space applications, and space exploration. Space programs, government and private, are showing benefits to countries involved in areas such as enhanced operations, skilled jobs, and new products or services created from past or more recent space R&D programs. ...
How many countries have satellites in orbit?
More Space Programs. According to the OECD report, more than 80 countries now have their satellites registered in orbit, a figure which was 50 in 2008. According to the Space Report released by the Space Foundation, the Global Space Economy Exceeded US$400 billion for the first time in 2018.
What is the purpose of the ADB and JAXA?
In 2010, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) joined hands to cooperate in promoting the application of satellite technology for better disaster management, climate change mitigation and adaptation, forest monitoring, and water resource management.
Is spaceonomics societal?
It’s spaceonomics with societal benefits. “The benefits of space do not exclusively impact actors operating in the space sector, as many studies report positive effects in non-space firms and at the broader societal level”. Activities in space have gone up in the last decade, creating a whole new ecosystem around space, ...
Is space exploration societal?
Many viewpoints of space exploration say that millions are being wasted on space programs, while societies are still struggling for basic amenities and rights, but spaceonomics has its societal benefits. Space programs are increasing economic benefits, and not just in the commercial sector but also the social.
Why are satellites important?
Important as they are, applications satellites pale in significance to what space may represent for the future of humanity. While some argue that robotic spacecraft are cheaper and less risky than human spaceflight, it is my belief that humans will nevertheless follow robotic reconnaissance as night follows day.
What features are unlikely to be paralleled with the Age of Discovery?
One feature unlikely to be paralleled with the Age of Discovery, at least in the near future, is contact with other cultures. Shipboard observers often carefully noted exotic plants and animals seen during the course of their voyages, and the ultimate experience was contact with exotic humans.
Is the utopian ideal of spreading humanity to outer space a valid reason for going?
Historians and social scientists have analyzed this kind of argument, and not all agree that the utopian ideal of spreading humanity to outer space is a valid reason for going, or that utopia is what we will build when we get there. In a democratic society such arguments must be fully voiced.
