Sam Knight of Harrison writes that he’s sick of all the money being “wasted” on space exploration and argues that it would be better spent on “fighting disease, pollution, creating energy, saving lives, saving this world.”

I’m presenting a counterpoint to Mr. Knight’s opinion.

NASA spinoffs include: laser angioplasty that vaporizes blockages without harming arterial walls, a lifesaving cardiac imaging system, an advanced pacemaker, an implantable heart aid, implantable and external pumps that control blood sugar levels, a thermal video for noninvasive observation, body imaging diagnostics, skin damage assessment to aid burn treatment, a gait analysis system for those who have have difficulty walking, a computer reader for the blind, a vision focusing trainer, an ocular screening system, speech aids, an advanced wheelchair, a vehicle controller to mobilize quadriplegics, a human tissue stimulator to treat chronic pain and involuntary motion disorders, a heart rate monitor, prosthetics, composite materials, laptop computers, athletic shoes, firefighting technology, food processing safety, an efficient dehumidification system for supermarkets, radiation-blocking lenses, highway safety grooving, lightning protection, X-ray imaging, aircraft de-icing, a collision avoidance system, a self-righting raft, weather information, air/wastewater purification systems, a global clean water system, plant research, solar power, cordless tools and appliances, etc., according to the NASA Web site.

I’m just scratching the surface in listing what helps in “fighting disease, pollution, creating energy, saving lives, saving this world” that we daily take for granted.

Well, there are the two sides. You decide.

David Theriault, Rumford

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