NASA grounds shuttle fleet

[GardenStateGirlie]

Originally Posted by skcin

^ Well what the f*ck are they doing up there?

There are many experiments and tests that are done while onboard the Space Station as well as while the space shuttle is in orbit. As much as I think money could better be spent elsewhere, I can then argue with the fact that I sat at the DMV for an hour yesterday while a bunch of overpaid, underworked state government assholes did absolutely nothing. I can also argue the fact that it's a waste of government money to send out zillions of forms per year. I have a friend that works for the IRS and designs the tax forms. If he ****s up a form, it costs the government a few million dollars. Imagine where all of that money could be better spent. "Out of a $2.4 trillion budget, less than 0.8% is spent on the entire space program." Hardly breaking the bank, IMO.

I think there is and has been much learned from experimentation health and science wise that we can then utilize here on Earth. If you want to take a look at all of the advancements in technology that have been improved on and invented courtesy of the space program, this is a site to take a look at.

http://www.thespaceplace.com/nasa/spinoffs.html