A lot of widely used inventions have come out of the space program, directly or indirectly. I feel that improving technology that can get us to, and help us inhabit far away planets will take time, and should start on said projects sooner rather than later, albiet one step at a time.

It's a better investment than plowing $$$ into Acorn.

TV Satellite Dish
NASA developed ways to correct errors in the signals coming from the spacecraft. This technology is used to reduce noise (that is, messed up picture or sound> in TV signals coming from satellites.
Medical Imaging
NASA developed ways to process signals from spacecraft to produce clearer images. (See more on digital information and how spacecraft send images from space.> This technology also makes possible these photo-like images of our insides.
Vision Screening System
Uses techniques developed for processing space pictures to examine eyes of children and find out quickly if they have any vision problems. The child doesn't have to say a word!
Ear Thermometer
Instead of measuring temperature using a column of mercury (which expands as it heats up>, this thermometer has a lens like a camera and detects infrared energy, which we feel as heat. The warmer something is (like your body>, the more infrared energy it puts out. This technology was originally developed to detect the birth of stars.
Fire Fighter Equipment
Fire fighters wear suits made of fire resistant fabric developed for use in space suits.
Smoke Detector
First used in the Earth orbiting space station called Skylab (launched back in 1973> to help detect any toxic vapors. Now used in most homes and other buildings to warn people of fire.
Sun Tiger Glasses
From research done on materials to protect the eyes of welders working on spacecraft, protective lenses were developed that block almost all the wavelengths of radiation that might harm the eyes, while letting through all the useful wavelengths that let us see.
Automobile Design Tools
A computer program developed by NASA to analyze a spacecraft or airplane design and predict how parts will perform is now used to help design automobiles. This kind of software can save car makers a lot of money by letting them see how well a design will work even before they build a prototype.
Cordless Tools
Portable, self-contained power tools were originally developed to help Apollo astronauts drill for moon samples. This technology has lead to development of such tools as the cordless vacuum cleaner, power drill, shrub trimmers, and grass shears.
Aerodynamic Bicycle Wheel
A special bike wheel uses NASA research in airfoils (wings> and design software developed for the space program. The three spokes on the wheel act like wings, making the bicycle very efficient for racing.
Thermal Gloves and Boots
These gloves and boots have heating elements that run on rechargeable batteries worn on the inside wrist of the gloves or embedded in the sole of the ski boot. This technology was adapted from a spacesuit design for the Apollo astronauts.
Space Pens
The Fisher Space Pen was developed for use in space. Most pens depend on gravity to make the ink flow into the ball point. For this space pen, the ink cartridge contains pressured gas to push the ink toward the ball point. That means, you can lie in bed and write upside down with this pen! Also, it uses a special ink that works in very hot and very cold environments.
Shock Absorbing Helmets
These special football helmets use a padding of Temper Foam, a shock absorbing material first developed for use in aircraft seats. These helmets have three times the shock absorbing ability of previous types.
Ski Boots
These ski boots use accordion-like folds, similar to the design of space suits, to allow the boot to flex without distortion, yet still give support and control for precision skiing.
Failsafe Flashlight
This flashlight uses NASA's concept of system redundancy, which is always having a backup for the parts of the spacecraft with the most important jobs. This flashlight has an extra-bright primary bulb and an independent backup system that has its own separate lithium battery (also a NASA developed technology> and its own bulb.
Invisible Braces
These teeth-straightening braces use brackets that are made of a nearly invisible translucent (almost see-through> ceramic material. This material is a spinoff of NASA's advanced ceramic research to develop new, tough materials for spacecraft and aircraft.
Edible Toothpaste
This is a special foamless toothpaste developed for the astronauts to use in space (where spitting is not a very good idea!> Although this would be a great first toothpaste for small children, it is no longer available.
Joystick Controllers
Joystick controllers are used for lots of things now, including computer games and vehicles for people with disabilities. These devices evolved from research to develop a controller for the Apollo Lunar Rover, and from other NASA research into how humans actually operate (called "human factors">.
Advanced Plastics
Spacecraft and other electronics need very special, low-cost materials as the base for printed circuits (like those inside your computer>. Some of these "liquid crystal polymers" have turned out to be very good, low-cost materials for making containers for foods and beverages.

Not to Mention

Scheduling software, semiconductors, microchips, structural analysis software, air quality monitors, virtual reality, Advanced keyboards, Customer Service Software, Database Management System, Laser Surveying, Aircraft controls, Lightweight Compact Disc, Expert System Software, Microcomputers, Design Graphics, Microwave ovens, enriched baby food, scratch-resistant eyeglass lenses, water purification, portable solid-state coolers/warmers, sports training, athletic shoes, 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, quartz crystal timing equipment, microspheres, weather forecasting, forest management, environmental control sensors, wind monitors, telemetry systems, plant research, Hydroponics, fire resistant materials, radiation insulation, Whale identification method, environmental analysis, noise abatement, pollution measuring devices, pollution control devices, smokestack monitor, radioactive leak detector, earthquake prediction system, sewage treatment, energy saving air conditioning, air purification, digital imaging breast biopsy system, breast cancer detection, laser angioplasty, ultrasound skin-damage assesment, human tissue stimulator, cool suit, programmable heart pacemaker, ocular screening, automated urinalysis, medical gas analyzer, voice-controlled wheelchair, Arteriosclerosis detection, 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, cataract surgery tools, magnetic liquids, welding sensor system, microlasers, magnetic bearings, plasma-sprayed engine coating, interactive multi-media training, high-pressure water stripping, advanced welding torch, Gasoline vapor recovery, self-locking fasteners, machine tool software, laser wire stripper, lubricant coating process, wireless communications, engine coatings, engine design, personal radiation detectors, Remotely-operated robot, personal alarm system, emergency rescue cutters, Lighter-weight firefighter's air tanks, Lightning detectors, self-righting life rafts, Storm warning services (Doppler radar), firefighters' radios, lead poison detection, fire detector, flame detector, corrosion protection coating, protective clothing, and robotic hands, studless winter tires, high-temperature composite materials, laminar airflow air purification, lightweight composite materials, improved aircraft engines, environmental-friendly lubricants, Flywheel Energy Storage system, aircraft design, Safer bridges, emission testing, airline wheelchairs, electric car, auto design, methane-powered vehicles, windshear prediction, and aircraft design analysis.

Investing in space is like investing in health care reform. It makes America's future better.

Is going back to the moon and exploring space a worthwhile investment?

Mostly who or which socio-economic class benefits from the investment?

Getting rough on earth, e.g., I'm too old to buy a grilled cheese in a restaurant in Pittsfield, Massachusetts--must be under 12 years old and didn't feel like the fast food crap The restaurant steers people older than 12 years old toward more expensive items, even if you felt like a grilled cheese and a cocktail(s).

Streamlining things eliminates jobs, jobs, jobs. Obviously this restaurant only wants to cater to the upper classes and has the grilled cheese as a courtesy for the children.

Is this discrimination?

The earlier comments that said we're on a time frame to "inhabit faraway planets" are wrong -- our forays into space are based on crude rocket technology that hasn't changed much at all since the 1960s, and even the closest systems are unreachable unless we start getting into the realm of science fiction.

That said, the inventions and innovation that come from a properly funded space program have been proven to positively impact our every day lives -- everything from modern smoke detectors to microwaves and teflon. Who knows what we might discover or invent through the space program if we return to the glory days of NASA?

Perhaps our politicians can be persuaded to cut back on the pork -- the tens of millions of dollars they dole out to things like Christmas wreath museums and house fly research -- and divert some of that money back toward the space program. The money would be far better spent.

It's a total waste of money. It's like one huge Holywood movie production. What's the use of exploring far away places when NASA / our government doesn't intend to reveal the findings to the public?

There are plenty of evidence of moon landing being faked. NASA even goes as far as wasting money and hiring people to disprove conspiracy theorists. (but not all evidences can be disproven however)

Photo-shopped images and airbrushed out intelligent structures from the moon (reverse side) and from Mars explorations are obvious. I also don't like the way our government are wasting money in their black projects. Most of us will never become aware of any of this.

'There's a government within the goverment which does not answer to the president.' -Bill Clinton

12. Press Blackout a. official denial b.discredit witnesses c. deceptive statements -MJ12 document

'Security of the nation outweighs the rights of individuals.' -???

All projects / knowledge are compartmentalized and on a need to know basis.

Basically, while unemployed, I had some time to research some of these topics... anything from government coverups, Area-51 projects, UFO's, NWO and our current financial crises... etc.

There's YouTube videos in these topics: Larry King special on UFO coverups, 'the Obama deception' (describes that one's roles as a master puppet for the NWO), Bob Lazar interview (he was an UFO reverse-engineer in area-51) ... etc. etc. etc.

JFK refused to become a puppet ... thus he is a greater man than who we have right now as president. The heck, anyone could be president if all they had to do is follow the talking points on a teleprompter.

"our forays into space are based on crude rocket technology that hasn't changed much at all since the 1960s"

I don't see how that is relevant in disproving my previous statements.