What's Space Got to Do With It?

Most people don’t have a clue about how much of their daily lives are improved by space innovations… stuff that was originally developed to complete space missions, safely launch rockets, keep astronauts healthy, make routine tasks possible in microgravity, conduct complex experiments … now used to make us safer, healthier, more comfortable and more efficient.

Before you ask if it really matters if people know where good ideas come from, look at how difficult it is to fund space programs – or to get politicians to support them. Perhaps if folks better understood the long-term, widespread impact of space research they wouldn’t be so quick to question the value of a space program. So, do your part for space, for your own health and comfort – answer four simple questions in our What’s Space Got to Do with It? survey.

Don’t have any idea what we’re talking about? That’s OK – most people don’t. Go to www.SpaceCertification.org or www.SpaceTechHallofFame.org and take a look at just some examples of space innovations and educational and inspiration programs. Your answers don’t have to come from our lists – but these could spur your thinking.

All What’s Space Got to Do with It? survey participants will be entered in a drawing for fun and inspirational prizes, including:

• Space Foundation tee shirts
• Space Foundation hats
• A set of six beautiful posters commemorating the Space Shuttle program
• A set of six postcards commemorating the Space Shuttle program 
• An autographed first edition copy of Sputnik’s Child, a novel by Fred Ledley

Answer the bonus question about how space exploration has affected you personally – and double your chances to win.

To take the survey, click here.

Oh, by the way, we normally say there are no wrong answers; but there are. If you answer Tang or Velcro®, you will be disqualified! Don’t get us wrong: both are great products, but neither was invented for the space program.

 

This article is part of Space Watch: September 2011 (Volume: 10, Issue: 9).