Space Exploration: The Practical Applications

When the topic of the space program comes up, a chorus of timeless questions repeat themselves. "Durr what are the practical applications of exploration, one of the few qualities that sets us apart from animals?" "How come we don't spend all of that money on Earth problems such as my severe short-sightedness?"

Learning everything we can about the universe around us is quite possibly the greatest goal humanity could have. If not, it's certainly in the top three, right up there with discovering immortality and a theatrical release of The Day The Clown Cried.

If the average person couldn't get their hands on a single short-term benefit from the space program it would still be worth every cent, but as it so happens there are plenty of everyday items that owe their existence to our (hopefully) unending quest for knowledge.

Link