Reply #64: Computers were developed on Earth

[nadinbrzezinski]

but the IMPULSE for miniaturization came from the Apollo program

Water... see the coast guard approved bags... they have a shelf life. Water itself does not go bad, but water pollution does make it go bad... this comes from things like bacteria. Why you are SUPPOSED to cycle your water reserves when you have them for a quake kit every six months.

MREs came from the Space Program in their current form... chiefly making those pieces of crap palatable.

Nomex came from it... and every firefighter I know off can thank NASA for it.

The cold suit, used to keep people well cold before surgery, comes from the astronaut suit... and no that would not have been developed otherwise.

The Tanks I wore to fight fires... well the one we use today comes straight from NASA. Yes there were some before, they were damn bulky and lasted far less, and most fire service personnel HATED them. They don't like them that much, but the Scott Air Pack is a great improvement, why compliance is higher

I could go on, the list of spin offs is very long.

As to the manned flight, don't worry, the US will not do it. The vision is gone. The ESA will.