shuttle.....

fropappy · Soul Rider Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 434 City: Benton, AR

I don't think computers were invented just for the space program, but a lot of the initial advances in microsizing the components for computers came about because they had to be lighter, smaller, and faster for the space program. You have no idea how much life has improved because of things like this.

K.A · Soul Rider Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 252 City: Florida

i agree w/ wes! how did you come up w/ the idea that calculators were invented for the space program?? wow!

Skwake · Posted: Feb 03, 2003 12:31 am Post subject:

Nasa have developed a lot of things that has made life for us easier, trust me I know it was on the Discovery Channel!

Steelerguy · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 518

Velcro was invented by a guy who gave it to NASA. they made it famous. And now i have Kangaroos Shoes... they are great.....

riverfreak · Posted: Feb 03, 2003 5:51 am Post subject:

I know you guys think the media is making a big deal of the debris in East Texas, let me tell you, this @#$% is everywhere, in parking lots, on top of schools, backyards, frontyards, tons of it in National Forest, some fishermen GPSed a large piece that fell in the lake around my riding spot :0.....hope it doesn't pollute the water too bad.....sure there have been plane crashes and debris but not spread out to the extent of the shuttle explosion.......I'll be glad when they actually begin cleaning up so we can get back to normal......

OttoNP · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 848 City: MI

Nasa actually didn't invent velcro, but the space program has lead to many things. Satellites are used in many things. TV, radio, cell phones, phones, GPS, etc... just to name a few. This whole things is very sad...

Read this:
http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/space/01/22/shuttle.torah.ap/index.html

Nick
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needtoride · Posted: Feb 03, 2003 6:22 am Post subject:

Whoever thinks that space exploration is stupid, is not very aware of satellites. Sure there are a lot of things they do in space that we do not understand, but we have a lot of defense related items in space. Maybe 40 years ago when we were trying to go to the moon it was more about the pride of our country, but now it is about learning, and defense. Why do you think we now where to send cruise missiles...etc...

OttoNP · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 848 City: MI

Additionally, the space shuttles are quite amazing:

First flight was the Columbia in 1980

The lift off weight of the shuttle is 4.5 million pounds, this is the same as 1125 full size trucks

Each booster weighs 1.3 million pounds and creates 2.6 million pounds of thrust

Each engine on the shuttle, 3 total, weighs 6,700 pounds and creates 213,000 pounds of thrust

Fuel from the external tank is pumped into the shuttle at 17,600 gallons per minute and hydrogen at 47,400 gallons per minute, like emptying a swimming pool in 10 seconds.
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Steelerguy · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 518

Did you know all the astronuats had blue eyes

some blue this way some blew that way....

RKG · Criminal Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 94 City: Nashville

WOW THAT WAS FUNNY!!! Do you have any 9/11 jokes to go with it?

riverfreak · Posted: Feb 03, 2003 8:13 am Post subject:

that was tasteless......and stupid

Steelerguy · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 518

another

OttoNP · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 848 City: MI

Below is an article I read awhile ago about people making jokes about tragic events. I still think they are in bad taste though...

Here's part of that article off http://www.snopes.com/, the url where it appears is
http://www.snopes.com/rumors/adultery.htm

"Humor almost disappeared from American culture in the period immediately following the tragedies of 11 September 2001. For more than two weeks nary a joke was to be heard throughout the land, let alone any of the to-be-expected outpourings of sick humor that often chase close upon the heels of horrific events. The Challenger explosion, the death of Princess Diana: these were almost immediately the subject of gallows humor offerings, some of which were so appallingly tasteless as to provoke a smile in even those most reluctant to laugh. This time things were different, though -- the terrorist attacks and the staggering loss of human life on that beautiful September morn silenced the laughter.

Yet laughter is necessary to the healing process and to the process whereby we begin to come to terms with events of great magnitude, both personal and global. The loss of a family member becomes a joking matter, not because that person wasn't loved and treasured or isn't grievously missed, but because he was and is. Likewise, horrific large-scale events become fodder for the joke-makers, and through their product we begin to deal with the sorrow that would otherwise overwhelm us. Laughter reminds us that the world goes on, and that we must go on with it. "
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Steelerguy · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 518

My thoughts exactly..... ^

I woke up on saturday morning, saddened by the events and watched for survivors. Im ready to move on.......

OttoNP · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 848 City: MI

Here's a webpage that has things that are spinoffs from the space program.

http://www.sti.nasa.gov/tto/ There have been over 40 a year since 1976...

Some notable ones mentioned:

CAT Scanners and MRI

Cool suits

Kidney dialysis

physical therapy techniques

cordless power tools

insulation barriers

water purification

freeze dried foods

surface enhancement coatings

artificial heart

bioreactor

hospital diagnostic instruments

gas detection

infrared camera

infrared thermometer

jewelry production

landmine removal

life saving light

rescue tool

vehicle tracking systems

video stabilization software
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fropappy · Soul Rider Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 434 City: Benton, AR

OttoNP
That's a pretty extensive list!

derrick · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 723 City: Orlando

I'm not saying the austronauts weren't brave, I'd be scared to go into space too. I just personally think a hero is somebody that risks their lives to save somebody elses life. Space exploration isn't a necessity, it's more of an advancement in technology and exploration. Not to say it's bad, but those things aren't absolutely necessary. Let's see if this helps get my point across. There are still primitive societies, they walk a couple miles just to get water everyday. They are in one of the most primitive ways to live, and they're completely happy with it, it's all they know, they might not want anything to do with our lifestyle, because it's too damn complicated, and they're happy with it. You can't compare the two, meaning you can't say more technology is BETTER.....I hope this comes across the right way.
peace
Derrick

ohsix · Posted: Feb 03, 2003 10:45 am Post subject:

Romi · Posted: Feb 03, 2003 11:17 am Post subject:

I'm a little appalled at some comments. But then again I big believer in the space program. People who don't want the program (for science or whatever) are the same as those who said the world is not round. In other words, you don't believe in exploration.

The sad thing about losing the Columbia, is not just the human loss, its takes something like this to get people interested.

jm2c

Romi

OttoNP · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 848 City: MI

While I realize your point, in order to achieve the things that NASA does, technology is pushed to the limits. While true we didn't find these things in space, going there created a need for their technologies. A need that may not have existed without it. For example, it is ok to spend a bunch of money to develop a cooling suit for an astronaut so he won't die. This technology is used to cool race car drivers, it is unlikely the research would have been done just to make them a little cooler. Same is true for jewlery makers, before the development of tiles for the space shuttle, they used other inferior things. The biggest cost is developing new technologies. NASA spends millions to develop materials for make the impossible possible. The companies that now use these materials would not have spent the money needed to develop them.

Either way, I think it's cool and I'm more than happy that my tax paying dollars go towards it. I'd much rather have my money go to NASA then welfare. Besides, in 5 billion years when our sun blows up we need to be ready to move...

Or more likely, when some huge rock is coming to kill us here on earth, maybe we'll be able to stop it.
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RKG · Criminal Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 94 City: Nashville

I think there is a difference when making jokes or laughing about funny/stupid things people did prior to their death, but to make fun of the manner in which they died is not really in good taste. Care to hear any good cancer jokes, how about drunk driver jokes? You know, I have not heard a good rape joke in a while , do you have any? Laughing and remembering the people is one thing, making fun of how they die is another. Would it fell good to you if a close family member died from a drunk driver then you heard others making light of it? It is time to move on and I hope they fix this and continue on. The only was we will go deeper into space and explore more is to keep testing and finding out what works in space.

ohsix · Posted: Feb 03, 2003 11:38 am Post subject:

Stephan · Guest

The space program is all about pushing the limits, expanding technology and proving that we can do the unimaginable. I mean how many countries send manned space flight? Russia and the USA, China is getting close... And hell we've been doing it since the 50's!!! Now how many missions have they flown with what, 3 incidents. I really believe that if the space program doesn't provide valuable information then at least it inspires generations of kids to believe in doing something great, I think that is worth the cost alone. I mean as a kid when Challenger exploded i couldn't believe it but i was still in awe at the mere thought of people actually floating through space. Damn, that's just cool!! And with regards to cost and the national debt, forget it America has the best line of credit in the free world, who cares about debt when other countries worry about a few billion $ and Bush just proposed his $2.2 trillion budget. It takes a lot of billions to make a trillion. Anyways anytime someone is lost it is a tragedy, I feel the largest tragedy is that the space program is not hyped more to the public, I saw the note that they were landing in the paper the other day and it was 2"x3" pretty damn weak. And now it's big news, it's sad because these folks were in space!!!!!! That's just crazy!!!

King of the Tigers · Posted: Feb 03, 2003 4:06 pm Post subject:

Well said Stephan. It blows me away to think about it to. Especially the odea of walking on another planet.
Steelerguy, While you may have put it past you and now want to make senseless and tasteless jokes about it, others don't. You obviously can't truly relate to it because then you wouldn't find drivel like that funny. Go share your stupid jokes with your immature buddies and leave them off a public forum.

Sean_Brinston · Posted: Feb 03, 2003 5:29 pm Post subject:

Heezey · Posted: Feb 03, 2003 5:30 pm Post subject: