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3. Miniaturized integrated circuits, satellite technology, GPS navigation systems, bone-density measurements, miniaturized heart pumps and other technologies derived from NASA research and development which have saved and improved our lives tremendously. New spin-offs include water filtration systems that turn wastewater into drinkable water, wireless light switches, remediation solutions for sites contaminated by chemicals, the development of Liquidmetal and sensors on reconnaissance robots used in Afghanistan and Iraq to deal with improvised explosive devices. I could go on and on about the discoveries and breakthroughs, but now I will talk more extensively about the benefits of space exploration.

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6 NASA technologies have provided many benefits to the medical field. The pacemakers used to treat cardiac patients as well as the remote monitoring devices for intensive care patients were derived from the telemetry systems that first monitored astronauts and spacecraft. Much of the portable medical equipment carried aboard ambulances has its roots in NASA's needs for such portable equipment in space.

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After studying, researching, and debating my thoughts and opinions with many others, I stand by my initial thoughts on space exploration. That is to continue what we are doing now so that we continue to see technological breakthroughs that impact our lives so strongly. Seeing as NASA is less than 1% of the Nation's budget, I believe we should fund it even more until it reaches around 2 or 3% of our budget. This way, NASA can hold nothing back nor wait on any type of funding. They can more than easily continue to enhance our understanding of space, our galaxy, our solar system, and our very own planet Earth. Thank You

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Although NASA's most visible achievements have taken place in space, the technologies that put men on the moon, launched space shuttles and planned space station have found their way into everyday life on Earth. 5 These common secondary uses, called space spinoffs as stated in Times Magazine, have continuously enhanced the lifestyle of Americans and strengthened the U.S. economy since the early1950s. The technologies that led to the computer bar codes in retail stores, quartz timing crystals and household smoke detectors were originally developed for NASA but found its way into our daily lives. .

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Anyone who follows NASA should know that President Obama launched an independent review of planned U.S. human spaceflight activities in the initial standings of his diplomacy. The blue ribbon panel, which is headed by Norman Augustine, who is a retired chairman and chief executive officer of Lockheed Martin, is expected to release its findings in the very near future. I am fairly confident that Augustine will not sugarcoat the panel's findings, and I am also optimistic that the panel will promote an ambitious goal for manned space exploration. America's space and technological preeminence in the world hangs in the balance.

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Forty years ago the world watched in wonder as American astronauts blazed through Earth's atmosphere into outer space and landed on the moon. This was the first time in history that any human being had ever set foot on another celestial body. But today, with the economy floundering and the national debt soaring into the stratosphere, some may suggest that we simply cannot afford to sustain human space exploration. I would argue just the opposite. The human race has only scratched the surface of space discoveries and there needs to be a more contributing factor to the wellbeing of space exploration research and institutions. Needless to say, Space exploration has benefited the wellbeing of the human race by the founding discoveries of new technologies that are a direct result of the research initiated to benefit space exploration.

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In today's society, the thought of space exploration goes both ways. Many people are for it while many others are against it. First, the question of why should we as a nation spend money toward space exploration when we have problems here in America. Ironically, NASA takes up less than 1% of the US budget, so it's hardly affecting the money spent in or for the nation at all. 13 Statistics show that around $12 million is spent every day in Iraq, when there are MANY establishing problems here in America. I personally believe that money or at least some of it could go toward solving the nations dire needs in a social and economic perspective.

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Second, space exploration is necessary. As I stated before, we learn so much from it! Early attempts discovered the van Allen radiation belts (with America's first satellite!). Later satellites found the ozone hole, letting us know we were damaging our ecosystem. Weather prediction via satellites is another obvious example, as well as global communication, as I said before, TV, GPS, and there is still much more to be found. ((pause)) With some individuals arguments of narrowing it down to exploring other planets and the Universe around us, we can give the practical answer that the more we learn about our space environment, the more we learn about the Earth itself. For instance, Examining the Sun led us to understand that its magnetic field connects with ours, sometimes with disastrous results... yet we can fortify ourselves against this danger, should we choose so. Space exploration may yet save us from an asteroid impact, too. Spreading our seed to other worlds may eventually save the human race even though this is highly improbable in our life time.

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Technologies developed for NASA to meet the challenges of space exploration have found more than 30,000 secondary commercial uses in products ranging from tennis shoes to medical equipment, bar codes, pacemakers and sunglasses. As stated before

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These are but a few of the more than 30,000 secondary applications of space technology providing daily benefits in Earth-bound hospitals, offices and homes. In the past, such byproducts often happened by chance a coincidence when practical uses of new technologies were found. 9NASA is working jointly with private industry to develop technologies that have a use in space and on Earth. This particular cooperation lessens the cost of development for NASA, and, ultimately, the taxpayer

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Throughout its 40-year history, our space program has set goals that required innovation and technology that had yet to be developed. The results have been quite astonishing.