End of the Shuttle Program

[Destroyer]

Well, Tang was but one of many things that came out of the space program. IC Chips, LCD's, LED's and a host of other things are all products that were either invented or enhanced in order to fill a need in the program. Even Velcro, (which was first invented by a Scotsman that wondered why Thistles stuck to his dogs coat, looked at them under a microscope, saw the tiny curved barbs, and then ruined several of his wife's irons trying to duplicate the barb) was further enhanced by the space program. Ear thermometers, useful for checking the temperature of squirming children, are based on metal coatings technology developed for space helmets. Smoke detectors, hand-held vacuum cleaners, water filters and ergonomic furniture are just some of the many household items first developed for use in space. The highly efficient foam insulation used in new homes and boats was first used to insulate fuel tanks on liquid-fueled rockets. Portable X-ray machines, programmable pacemakers and many surgical tools were all pioneered as part of the space program. Concentrated baby foods, as well as the freeze-dried instant mixes we feed our kids, were first consumed in space. Many of the biofeedback techniques used to reduce stress were first developed for use by astronauts. Satellites have revolutionized telecommunications and the Global Positioning System (GPS) helps every one of us with piloting our boats and finding our way when we're driving, as well as helping airplanes and large ships locate their position to within 10 feet anywhere in the world. The list goes on and on. Studies have shown that for every $1 spent on space development, $7 have been returned to the economy in the form of a new product or service. Truly a remarkable period in our history. I hope it's not over. I hope and pray that I get to see another American landing on the moon before I die. It's been over 40 years already. (Yesterday was the anniversary of the first one.. July 20, 1969)