For those whose sense of wonder has not maxed out, NASA has compiled a partial list of things originated by the Space Program that benefit you, right here on earth. Just a few:

WINDOWS VISUAL NEWS READER (Win Vn)

VIRTUAL REALITY

AIR QUALITY MONITOR

WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEM

SCRATCH-RESISTANT LENSES

PORTABLE COOLERS/WARMERS

VOICE-CONTROLLED WHEELCHAIR

Dustbuster, 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.

*click here for many many more*

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…

I know the discovery has just landed safely and all... but I had to snigger, just a wee bit, when the "google ads" bar at the top of the page had the following ads:

Fire Detectors --------- Smoke Detectors -------------- Gas Leakage detectors.....