One small step for man, one giant leap for China

This morning on the radio I was listening to a NASA official being interviewed on a local radio station about the space race.

He said there is an unofficial space race going on now between the US and China and we need to wake up to the ramifications if they succeed.

China’s goal is to put a person on moon by 2017. Say what you wanna, but this is significant. Think about it. What has the space race done for you and me?

Some of the spin-off benefits we have all enjoyed due to the United States’ lead involvement in the space race, to name a few are:

• Scratch Resistant lenses
  • Scratch-resistant lenses were developed by NASA by applying a diamond-like lubricating coat over plastic lenses. This application was originally used in the space program in a “dual ion-beam bonding process. Today, the coating is still used on hard resin plastic used in most eye glasses that people wear everyday.
• Cordless Power Tools
  • While on the moon and working in deep space, the astronauts would need to perform many tasks to gather scientific data concerning the surface of the moon. Often in these tasks, they needed mechanical help. Neither traditional tools nor power tools of that era would work. Traditional tools would not provide enough assistance, and power tools could not be used due to their cord restrictions. Thus, NASA developed a way for power tools to be used without cords. Today, cordless power tools are everywhere. Uses for these tools have proved extremely versatile and beneficial to society. People use them to construct homes and conduct other projects, such as making repairs.
• Freeze Dried Food
  • Humans need food, and astronauts in space are no exception. To keep food fresh that would feed the astronauts, NASA adopted the practice of freeze-drying food. Previously, the technology had been “developed originally for preserving plasma during World War II.” This process proved effective on food and allowed for extended manned space flights such as the Apollo flights. In the process, the food is frozen and then most of the moisture is removed from the frozen object. The moisture is removed by sublimation; it turns into a vapor before a liquid. The process works best on liquids, thin slices of meat, and small objects like peas.
• Sports Shoes
  • Technology originally developed for the boots worn on the moon, has now been applied to athletic shoes in the mid-sole section. The technology improves shock absorption, stability, and motion control.
• Computer Readers for the Blind
• Laser Angioplasty
• Ocular Screening
• Programmable Pacemakers

If we do not step up to to the plate, it seems to me, China will most likely develop their own spin-off industries whose products we’ll pay dearly to purchase. In short the US runs the risk of losing it’s place in the world economy if we don’t support continued space exploration.

Here is a link to a NASA site that details more spin offs.