26 Aug 12, 08:37PM
(This post was last modified: 26 Aug 12, 08:44PM by DES|Anderson.)
Ok here we go!
First let me say RIP Neil Armstrong, we have lost a great individual today and his loss will be felt worldwide.
Now to answer the Paul post...
Space technology has helped bring hundreds of thousands out of starvation, many owe their sight to advances made during the Apollo programes and following programes. Neil Armstrong was not only a major part of the Apollo programe as an astronaught but also as a trainer/teacher and a flight director, he also worked on susiquent missions providing valued technical input (yes he was an engineer as well as a hell of a pilot). The work he has done along with others has resulted in many technology advances that have saved many thousands if not hundreds of thousands of lives, please see below for highlights;
Firefighting Equipment
Apollo technology has been used to produce a lighter breathing system for firefighters. The new system weighs about 20 pounds (9 kg) and has a mask with greater peripheral vision.
Directly saving lives everyday!
Firefighting Strategy
European Space Agency satellites will provide information on fire locations. This can be used to help develop firefighting strategy. This program has been tested and is scheduled to begin use in 2000.
This has been used to fight dangerous forest fires all over the world from America to the Congo and Austrailia
Vision Research
Landstat and Skylab technology is used to check the human eye for refractive error and cornea or lens obstruction.
This technology is used in the developing world to prevent sight loss, I have no figures on how many this has helped but reasonable estimates put it in the hundreds of thousands.
Global Positioning Satellites
Satellites orbiting the Earth, Earth monitoring stations, and navigation receivers provide accurate positioning for ships, ground vehicles, airplanes and hand-held use. This technology has both military and non-military uses.
This technology has been used by aid agencies all over the world to provide quick and effective relief in difficult conditions.
Cordless Tools
A handheld drill developed by Black & Decker and NASA for moon soil samples has been modified for use in a line of cordless tools. This cordless technology is now used in building construction, home handyman areas, gardening, and the operating room.
These cordless tools are used in construction projects all over the developing world they are favoured because one or two chargers can be used by multiple tools saving many dollars which is spent instead providing building materials.
Active Pixel Sensor
This improved image technology requires less power, is less expensive and is smaller than previous technology. It has provided better images for camcorders, digital cameras, night vision and x-rays.
Camcorders and cameras using this technology have given a voice to opressed peoples all over the world.
Ventricular Assist Device - DeBakey Blood Pump
Using Space Shuttle turbine technology, a small blood pump has been developed. It can by used temporarily until a heart transplant is available or used to help pump blood while an injured heart repairs itself. It might also have potential as a permanent implant.
This speaks for itself.
Scratch Resistant Lenses
Combining NASA space helmet visor technology with Foster Grant’s internal research, scratch resistant lenses are available for sunglasses and prescription lenses.
These lenses are particularly usefull in africa where normal lenses are easily scratched, they are provided as standard by many charities providing free glasses in the developing world and have prevented the reisuing of glasses because of damage meaning more people can be helped.
Tsunami Tracking
A satellite circling the Earth receives transmissions from undersea detectors. It provides accurate information on tsunami size and strength.
The tracking and warning or storms and Tsunami has helped many hundreds of thousands, many people owe their lives to this technology.
Corrective Back Brace
NASA technology was used to develop a back brace for people with scoliosis. This brace is an alternative to surgery.
Again this speaks for itself.
Archaeology
Space Shuttle radar images help locate ancient cities, roads, and ruins. This helps pinpoint archaeological areas faster. This technology helped locate the lost city of Ubar which is located in Oman.
Document Preservation
NASA is helping design a new protective case to preserve the National Archives' copy of the Declaration of Independence.
Anti-Corrosion Coatings
NASA required coatings to cover and protect launch structures from exhaust, temperature changes, ocean spray, and fog. Coatings containing zinc dust and potassium silicate resist corrosion. Today these coatings are used on statues such as the Statue of Liberty, bridges, pipelines, military tanks, and power stations.
Some of the pipelines these coating are used on bring water/fuel to starving peoples without these coatings more money would need to be spent maintaining the pipes instead of providing fuel/water.
Foam Cushioning
NASA developed a protective foam cushion for use on the Space Shuttle and airlines. The foam provides impact protection and distributes body weight over the entire cushion. This spin-off has use with helmets, wheelchair cushions, and other medical needs.
This cushioning is curently in use in aid hospitals all over the world and is preventing complications such as compartment syndrome and bed sores.
Liquid-Cooled Garments
For the Apollo program, water-cooled garments were developed to protect astronauts from the Moon’s high temperatures. These garments can reduce body heat by 40 - 60%. Currently, this technology is used by race car drivers, nuclear reactor workers, lumber mill workers, and military assigned to desert stations. In addition, people with medical conditions like Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia (lack of sweat glands), cystic fibrosis, and bad burns can benefit from using these garments.
These burn pads are used in many aid hospitals, they are also used in cases of maliaria to reduce body temperature.
Hang Gliders
Hang gliders or parawings resulted from early NASA investigations into using parawings as a method of returning payloads from space to Earth. Now, many recreational and commercial uses have been found for hang gliders. Also, the Army’s Golden Knights team uses parawings in their program.
Its always nice to see something fun in one of these lists
:)
Radiant Barrier
Metallized plastics were used for the Apollo missions to enable astronauts to have a temperature controlled working area. These special plastics insulate the spacecraft from extreme hot and cold. Today, this technology is used on Earth in the construction industry, food transportation, and other areas where temperature control is important.
These materials dirtectly help the distribution of food in third world countries.
Ok now we have a flavour of what Neil has done to help the many starving in this world, may I ask what have you done and what makes you think you that your work is greater than his?
First let me say RIP Neil Armstrong, we have lost a great individual today and his loss will be felt worldwide.
Now to answer the Paul post...
Space technology has helped bring hundreds of thousands out of starvation, many owe their sight to advances made during the Apollo programes and following programes. Neil Armstrong was not only a major part of the Apollo programe as an astronaught but also as a trainer/teacher and a flight director, he also worked on susiquent missions providing valued technical input (yes he was an engineer as well as a hell of a pilot). The work he has done along with others has resulted in many technology advances that have saved many thousands if not hundreds of thousands of lives, please see below for highlights;
Firefighting Equipment
Apollo technology has been used to produce a lighter breathing system for firefighters. The new system weighs about 20 pounds (9 kg) and has a mask with greater peripheral vision.
Directly saving lives everyday!
Firefighting Strategy
European Space Agency satellites will provide information on fire locations. This can be used to help develop firefighting strategy. This program has been tested and is scheduled to begin use in 2000.
This has been used to fight dangerous forest fires all over the world from America to the Congo and Austrailia
Vision Research
Landstat and Skylab technology is used to check the human eye for refractive error and cornea or lens obstruction.
This technology is used in the developing world to prevent sight loss, I have no figures on how many this has helped but reasonable estimates put it in the hundreds of thousands.
Global Positioning Satellites
Satellites orbiting the Earth, Earth monitoring stations, and navigation receivers provide accurate positioning for ships, ground vehicles, airplanes and hand-held use. This technology has both military and non-military uses.
This technology has been used by aid agencies all over the world to provide quick and effective relief in difficult conditions.
Cordless Tools
A handheld drill developed by Black & Decker and NASA for moon soil samples has been modified for use in a line of cordless tools. This cordless technology is now used in building construction, home handyman areas, gardening, and the operating room.
These cordless tools are used in construction projects all over the developing world they are favoured because one or two chargers can be used by multiple tools saving many dollars which is spent instead providing building materials.
Active Pixel Sensor
This improved image technology requires less power, is less expensive and is smaller than previous technology. It has provided better images for camcorders, digital cameras, night vision and x-rays.
Camcorders and cameras using this technology have given a voice to opressed peoples all over the world.
Ventricular Assist Device - DeBakey Blood Pump
Using Space Shuttle turbine technology, a small blood pump has been developed. It can by used temporarily until a heart transplant is available or used to help pump blood while an injured heart repairs itself. It might also have potential as a permanent implant.
This speaks for itself.
Scratch Resistant Lenses
Combining NASA space helmet visor technology with Foster Grant’s internal research, scratch resistant lenses are available for sunglasses and prescription lenses.
These lenses are particularly usefull in africa where normal lenses are easily scratched, they are provided as standard by many charities providing free glasses in the developing world and have prevented the reisuing of glasses because of damage meaning more people can be helped.
Tsunami Tracking
A satellite circling the Earth receives transmissions from undersea detectors. It provides accurate information on tsunami size and strength.
The tracking and warning or storms and Tsunami has helped many hundreds of thousands, many people owe their lives to this technology.
Corrective Back Brace
NASA technology was used to develop a back brace for people with scoliosis. This brace is an alternative to surgery.
Again this speaks for itself.
Archaeology
Space Shuttle radar images help locate ancient cities, roads, and ruins. This helps pinpoint archaeological areas faster. This technology helped locate the lost city of Ubar which is located in Oman.
Document Preservation
NASA is helping design a new protective case to preserve the National Archives' copy of the Declaration of Independence.
Anti-Corrosion Coatings
NASA required coatings to cover and protect launch structures from exhaust, temperature changes, ocean spray, and fog. Coatings containing zinc dust and potassium silicate resist corrosion. Today these coatings are used on statues such as the Statue of Liberty, bridges, pipelines, military tanks, and power stations.
Some of the pipelines these coating are used on bring water/fuel to starving peoples without these coatings more money would need to be spent maintaining the pipes instead of providing fuel/water.
Foam Cushioning
NASA developed a protective foam cushion for use on the Space Shuttle and airlines. The foam provides impact protection and distributes body weight over the entire cushion. This spin-off has use with helmets, wheelchair cushions, and other medical needs.
This cushioning is curently in use in aid hospitals all over the world and is preventing complications such as compartment syndrome and bed sores.
Liquid-Cooled Garments
For the Apollo program, water-cooled garments were developed to protect astronauts from the Moon’s high temperatures. These garments can reduce body heat by 40 - 60%. Currently, this technology is used by race car drivers, nuclear reactor workers, lumber mill workers, and military assigned to desert stations. In addition, people with medical conditions like Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia (lack of sweat glands), cystic fibrosis, and bad burns can benefit from using these garments.
These burn pads are used in many aid hospitals, they are also used in cases of maliaria to reduce body temperature.
Hang Gliders
Hang gliders or parawings resulted from early NASA investigations into using parawings as a method of returning payloads from space to Earth. Now, many recreational and commercial uses have been found for hang gliders. Also, the Army’s Golden Knights team uses parawings in their program.
Its always nice to see something fun in one of these lists
:)
Radiant Barrier
Metallized plastics were used for the Apollo missions to enable astronauts to have a temperature controlled working area. These special plastics insulate the spacecraft from extreme hot and cold. Today, this technology is used on Earth in the construction industry, food transportation, and other areas where temperature control is important.
These materials dirtectly help the distribution of food in third world countries.
Ok now we have a flavour of what Neil has done to help the many starving in this world, may I ask what have you done and what makes you think you that your work is greater than his?