# Technology, etc. that we got as a result of NASA/the space program
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-etc-that-we-got-as-a-result-of-nasa-the-space-program/604172
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [November 26, 2011, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-etc-that-we-got-as-a-result-of-nasa-the-space-program/604172 "2011-11-26T19:02:20Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2011, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-etc-that-we-got-as-a-result-of-nasa-the-space-program/604172/21 "2011-11-28T01:40:52Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#):
>
> What makes you think that NASA invented Hall Effect sensors?
>
> Stranger
Nothing, really. I read about them in a NASA related article. I have no idea who invented or developed them.
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### Author:  [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2011, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-etc-that-we-got-as-a-result-of-nasa-the-space-program/604172/22 "2011-11-28T02:52:59Z")
> [@silenus](#):
>
> Wiki has a [nice list](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA_spin-off), as well as noting RAH’s testimony before the Congressional Joint Committee on Aging. Jerry Pournelle has also listed quite a few over the years, along with anecdotes about NASA’s reaction to their (the researchers) request for human cadavers. (They were developing suit helmets. If you survive a motorcycle crash because of your helmet, thank NASA.)
I learned from this article that the International Grinding and Grooving Association is a thing, so I would like to thank NASA for that. [http://igga.net/](http://igga.net/)
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### Author:  [@Animastryfe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Animastryfe)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2011, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-etc-that-we-got-as-a-result-of-nasa-the-space-program/604172/23 "2011-11-28T03:31:34Z")
[Here](http://www.reddit.com/r/space/comments/jxgpw/so_what_is_so_good_about_space_exploration/c2fx31l) is a post explaining some of the benefits of space exploration, which includes technology spinoffs.
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### Author:  [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2011, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-etc-that-we-got-as-a-result-of-nasa-the-space-program/604172/24 "2011-11-28T03:46:49Z")
> [@Candyman74](#):
>
> OK. Not how I use the phrase, but hey ho.
It is generally understood that when we are talking about “the space program” in the United States, it is a government program, and specifically NASA. While the Air Force and Navy also have space programs, they are largely focused on surveillance systems, communications, and launch systems for military applications…which, of course, have led to more commercial applications than NASA programs. Although, as **Francis Vaughn** notes, NASA’s role should be “supporting and nurturing these industries,” the truth is that the strong focused on manned space efforts has blunted the more practical and useful development efforts of propulsion and spacecraft systems, which are largely conducted by private aerospace contractors under Department of Defense funding.
The real applied benefits from NASA research (other than basic knowledge that may be of use to us at some future date) are Earth surveillance and solar weather monitoring, which help us understand and refine climate models, see how agriculture and industry are impacting the biosphere and hydrological cycles, and protect space assets. Never mind Tang, Velcro, and Fisher Space Pens; this information about the world we live on is worth tens or hundreds of billions of dollars every year in risk abatement, and may end up being priceless.
Stranger
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### Author:  [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2011, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-etc-that-we-got-as-a-result-of-nasa-the-space-program/604172/25 "2011-11-28T03:54:11Z")
> [@ralph124c](#):
>
> Again, I used to get the “NASA Technical Briefs”-99% of the patents they filed were worthless.
> Its amazing how much money the government blows, filing useless patents.
IIRC this is about a normal rate for any large org with an R&D component.
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