Space tech heading in reverse

goldentrucker17 said:You barely manage to scrape together two sentences before you end up tripping over your own feet and contradicting yourself anyway.
You really don't think there's any actual benefit to all this "space technology"? I mean, come on. You know damn well what NASA has handed down to us.
The Russians have had an operational space station—the Mir—up there for 30 years now, and honestly, it’s basically the backbone of today's International Space Station. If it wasn't for that Russian tech, we wouldn't even have the regular communication or the crew rotations on the ISS that we see happening today. It's all built on that foundation.

So, tell me this—when some billionaire decides they’re finally ready to blast off into space, who exactly are they supposed to call? Do they just ring up the USA? Or maybe try their luck with the European Union? Honestly, I can only imagine the ridiculous nonsense people have to explain over and over again on this Forum. It's exhausting.

So, what exactly have the Russians contributed to the world with their space technology? Of course, you didn't specify when, and frankly, you don't even know yourself. You could search for five years and you still wouldn't find an answer. It seems you struggle to grasp even the simplest sentence; do I really need to spell it out for you? I don't believe there is any tangible benefit to be gained from Russian space technology, whereas I know exactly what the benefits of NASA's work are—something you clearly haven't figured out yet! There is no contradiction here: if the Russians haven't provided anything of substance, then there is no utility! Keep learning, old friend; it's not too late for you yet! 👍

goldenmason172 said:So, what exactly have the Russians contributed to the world with their space technology? Of course, you didn't specify when, and frankly, you don't even know yourself. You could search for five years and you still wouldn't find an answer. It seems you struggle to grasp even the simplest sentence; do I really need to spell it out for you? I don't believe there is any tangible benefit to be gained from Russian space technology, whereas I know exactly what the benefits of NASA's work are—something you clearly haven't figured out yet! There is no contradiction here: if the Russians haven't provided anything of substance, then there is no utility! Keep learning, old friend; it's not too late for you yet! 👍

Since you obviously don't know much about "space technology," just a quick reality check—most of the communication satellites launched into orbit for the EU lately were sent up by Russian rockets, after it turned out the French Ariane was unreliable and way more expensive. (A few satellites actually got destroyed during launch, by the way.)

Tell me something about the benefits of USA space technology, besides movies like "The Right Stuff" and "The Right Stuff." 😵

northernbison63 said:Since you obviously don't know much about "space technology," just a quick reality check—most of the communication satellites launched into orbit for the EU lately were sent up by Russian rockets, after it turned out the French Ariane was unreliable and way more expensive. (A few satellites actually got destroyed during launch, by the way.)

Tell me something about the benefits of USA space technology, besides movies like "The Right Stuff" and "The Right Stuff." 😵

Can you honestly imagine any massive leaps for humanity coming from Rusić? 🤣 We take so many things for granted today—things like smartphones, rechargeable batteries, live TV broadcasts, and digital cameras—without ever stopping to consider where that tech actually originated. Believe it or not, these items, along with tens of thousands of others, were born directly from research conducted by NASA for the space program. If you look at analysis from American economists, for every single dollar invested in the space program, at least seven dollars are returned through taxes on the very devices and technologies that emerged as side products of that research. Or if we look at it in terms of employment, every single scientist at NASA creates at least five jobs in the various industries manufacturing those spin-off technologies. Now, tell me, what kind of technological progress has Russia achieved? It’s practically non-existent, and anyone who actually understands this field knows that for granted! 👍

goldenmason172 said:Can you honestly imagine any massive leaps for humanity coming from Rusić? 🤣 We take so many things for granted today—things like smartphones, rechargeable batteries, live TV broadcasts, and digital cameras—without ever stopping to consider where that tech actually originated. Believe it or not, these items, along with tens of thousands of others, were born directly from research conducted by NASA for the space program. If you look at analysis from American economists, for every single dollar invested in the space program, at least seven dollars are returned through taxes on the very devices and technologies that emerged as side products of that research. Or if we look at it in terms of employment, every single scientist at NASA creates at least five jobs in the various industries manufacturing those spin-off technologies. Now, tell me, what kind of technological progress has Russia achieved? It’s practically non-existent, and anyone who actually understands this field knows that for granted! 👍

Come on! Seriously? If that's the case, then how exactly am I not able to just build a Space Shuttle that actually flies? 🤣

So, I was digging into some research from American economists, and get this—it’s actually pretty wild when you look at the numbers. For every single dollar we sink into the space program, we’re seeing at least seven bucks crawl back into the economy through tax revenue. And where does that money come from? It's all from the tech and gadgets developed for these missions that eventually end up in our hands as side products. It’s not just about the hardware, though. Think about the jobs! Every single scientist working over at NASA basically acts as an engine for employment, opening up at least five different positions in various industries that specialize in turning those space-age spin-offs into everyday tools. It’s a massive multiplier effect that most people just don't wrap their heads around.

Look, I see exactly what's happening here, and that’s precisely why they’re just barging into NASA's business whenever they feel like it. 🤣

Look, if you want my take on where things stand with technology over in Russia, I’ll tell you straight—it’s basically a flatline. It’s sitting at zero. Honestly, anyone who actually knows their stuff about this kind of thing can see that immediately. It’s just... nothing. Zero. Flat. Anyone with a brain for tech isn't going to argue with me on that one!

So, look, you just load that Space Shuttle onto a Soyuz, which then shoots the whole thing up into orbit before bringing it back down. While they're up there, the Space Shuttle basically serves two main purposes: taking photos with digital cameras and... well, handling business in the bathroom. And I'm talking about using those specialized chemical toilets that NASA had to engineer specifically for the job.😵

northernbison63 said:Come on! Seriously? If that's the case, then how exactly am I not able to just build a Space Shuttle that actually flies? 🤣

So, I was digging into some research from American economists, and get this—it’s actually pretty wild when you look at the numbers. For every single dollar we sink into the space program, we’re seeing at least seven bucks crawl back into the economy through tax revenue. And where does that money come from? It's all from the tech and gadgets developed for these missions that eventually end up in our hands as side products. It’s not just about the hardware, though. Think about the jobs! Every single scientist working over at NASA basically acts as an engine for employment, opening up at least five different positions in various industries that specialize in turning those space-age spin-offs into everyday tools. It’s a massive multiplier effect that most people just don't wrap their heads around.

Look, I see exactly what's happening here, and that’s precisely why they’re just barging into NASA's business whenever they feel like it. 🤣

Look, if you want my take on where things stand with technology over in Russia, I’ll tell you straight—it’s basically a flatline. It’s sitting at zero. Honestly, anyone who actually knows their stuff about this kind of thing can see that immediately. It’s just... nothing. Zero. Flat. Anyone with a brain for tech isn't going to argue with me on that one!

So, look, you just load that Space Shuttle onto a Soyuz, which then shoots the whole thing up into orbit before bringing it back down. While they're up there, the Space Shuttle basically serves two main purposes: taking photos with digital cameras and... well, handling business in the bathroom. And I'm talking about using those specialized chemical toilets that NASA had to engineer specifically for the job.😵

Now you've drifted into pure trolling because you've run out of actual arguments. I could sit here all day listing the achievements of NASA and the USA, but since you can't provide anything comparable for Russia, I'll just wish the Russians better luck in their next life! 🤣

goldenmason172 said:Now you've drifted into pure trolling because you've run out of actual arguments. I could sit here all day listing the achievements of NASA and the USA, but since you can't provide anything comparable for Russia, I'll just wish the Russians better luck in their next life! 🤣

Look, everything sounds great on paper, but you still haven't managed to explain one thing: if NASA has such incredible track records, why does it seem like every single Space Shuttle return to Earth is treated like some miraculous, once-in-a-lifetime miracle?

And how does it work that despite all the massive economic benefits the American economy gets from NASA, the government subsidies for NASA just keep getting thinner and thinner year after year?

You’re clearly spinning misinformation again; if we look at the numbers, 2000 saw $13.6 billion while 2007 hit $16.3 billion. Between 1958 and 2007, NASA received a staggering $420 billion, which really makes me wonder how much Russia actually contributed. I’d love for you to finally clarify what Russia has actually left us in terms of space technology or any kind of broad, practical application. 😂As for why they aren't receiving more funding, you really ought to take that question up with the administration. Things were handled quite differently in the past, though. NASA always maintained that the space program serves the greater good for everyone, but history shows that hasn't always been the case. A perfect example would be the backroom dealings surrounding Teflon back in the sixties. I assume you're familiar with that whole situation and how taxpayers reacted to it! Once you lose the trust of the public here in the US, you don't get a second chance. 😂

goldenmason172 said:You’re clearly spinning misinformation again; if we look at the numbers, 2000 saw $13.6 billion while 2007 hit $16.3 billion. Between 1958 and 2007, NASA received a staggering $420 billion, which really makes me wonder how much Russia actually contributed. I’d love for you to finally clarify what Russia has actually left us in terms of space technology or any kind of broad, practical application. 😂As for why they aren't receiving more funding, you really ought to take that question up with the administration. Things were handled quite differently in the past, though. NASA always maintained that the space program serves the greater good for everyone, but history shows that hasn't always been the case. A perfect example would be the backroom dealings surrounding Teflon back in the sixties. I assume you're familiar with that whole situation and how taxpayers reacted to it! Once you lose the trust of the public here in the US, you don't get a second chance. 😂

Maybe they bumped things up a bit over the last few years, I don't know. I haven't really been keeping tabs on it lately.

Look, I’ll finally lay it all out for you—what exactly did Russia leave behind when it comes to space tech and actually using it in the real world? It’s a mess, honestly. You look at the legacy they left, and it’s this weird mix of heavy-duty, rugged engineering that just refuses to die and some seriously outdated concepts that we're still trying to move past. When you talk about the hardware, there's no denying their footprint. They built machines like the Soyuz that have been the workhorses of the industry for decades. It's that "built like a tank" mentality. If something breaks in the middle of nowhere, those systems were designed to be fixed with whatever you had on hand. It’s brute force engineering, plain and simple. But then you have to ask: is that enough? In an era where everything is becoming sleek, digital, and hyper-integrated, relying on that old-school, heavy-metal approach feels like trying to run a modern software suite on a machine from the 80s. Sure, it might turn on, but good luck getting any actual efficiency out of it. And when we get into the broad application side of things? That's where the frustration really kicks in. Their influence shaped how we think about orbital mechanics and long-term station habitation, sure. But much of that legacy is tied up in a way of thinking that's very centralized and rigid. It doesn't always mesh well with the fast-paced, iterative, "fail fast, learn faster" culture we see today with companies like SpaceX or even the big players at NASA. It’s like... okay, they gave us the foundation, the heavy lifting, and the proof that humans can survive up there. But they also left us with a massive amount of technical baggage that we're constantly having to reconcile with modern standards. It's a constant tug-of-war between that indestructible, analog grit and the high-tech, precision-driven future we're actually aiming for. It's frustrating, it's complicated, and frankly, it's a lot to unpack. 😂

So, picture this: a chemical toilet that actually talks back to you. I'm talking about a high-tech latrine equipped with mobile signaling to alert you about the contents and how full it is... and get this—it even comes with a built-in digital camera to perform a "content analysis." Seriously? Is that where we're at now? We really need a freaking app to tell us when the porta-potty is hitting capacity? And a camera to analyze what's happening inside? That is just... wow. Talk about overkill. It’s like we're trying to turn every single mundane, gross part of life into some sort of Silicon Valley data project. Honestly, it's a bit much. 😵

Look, if we’re really going to claim that mobile phones were born out of NASA research, then how exactly did a company like Nokia manage to build them? What, did they just suck their fingers and hope for the best? Seriously. 😬

Why aren't they taking more? Honestly, you'd have to go grill the administration about that one. But look, things used to be totally different back in the day. NASA used to give us all this line about how the space program benefits everyone, but let’s be real—that wasn't always the case. Just look at the sixties and that whole mess with the Teflon scam. I mean, surely you know a thing or two about how taxpayers react to stuff like that! Once you lose the trust of people here in the USA, you don't exactly get a second chance to make it right!

Wait, hold on, Mao—didn't you give me some pretty thin data on the capital turnover earlier? For crying out loud... agriculture is absolutely exploding right now. Every single dollar you sink into production pulls back two, but these guys? They’re pulling back seven. Seven! So why on earth aren't they dumping that money into NASA? Or is someone just playing it safe and being overly cautious because that's just how they operate? And look, I need to know—was that turnover data of yours from before NASA started their usual runaround, or after? 😵

Imagine a chemical sensor equipped with mobile signaling for content and capacity status, paired with a digital camera for detailed analysis. You know, you could actually use a setup like that to communicate with someone else.

Man, a phone born from space exploration? Seriously... 🤣 A phone is basically just a standard radio receiver, thanks to the legacy of Tesla. 😎

Here’s the reality of what Russia contributed:

The first satellite
The first living being in space first man
The first human in space
The first spacewalk
The first space station, MIR
Exploration of the Moon, Mercury, Venera, Mars, and other planets via SS
And a whole bunch of other things I can't even remember right now. 🙂

And honestly, if you're sitting there watching Fox News and letting yourself get brainwashed, that’s largely thanks to the Russians, who were the first to develop rockets capable of launching satellites. About 90 percent of any space program—whether it's the Russians or Americans—is driven by the military, ranging from ICBMs and short-range missiles to spy satellites and more.

NASA has been struggling for years because they receive such ridiculously small budgets. Flights have almost vanished, space research is incredibly weak, and every year it gets smaller and smaller. When you finally see NASA launching at least a third of what they used to back in '85, then you'll know the Cold War is officially back in full swing. 😉

Chris Barrett37 said:Man, a phone born from space exploration? Seriously... 🤣 A phone is basically just a standard radio receiver, thanks to the legacy of Tesla. 😎

Here’s the reality of what Russia contributed:

The first satellite
The first living being in space first man
The first human in space
The first spacewalk
The first space station, MIR
Exploration of the Moon, Mercury, Venera, Mars, and other planets via SS
And a whole bunch of other things I can't even remember right now. 🙂

And honestly, if you're sitting there watching Fox News and letting yourself get brainwashed, that’s largely thanks to the Russians, who were the first to develop rockets capable of launching satellites. About 90 percent of any space program—whether it's the Russians or Americans—is driven by the military, ranging from ICBMs and short-range missiles to spy satellites and more.

NASA has been struggling for years because they receive such ridiculously small budgets. Flights have almost vanished, space research is incredibly weak, and every year it gets smaller and smaller. When you finally see NASA launching at least a third of what they used to back in '85, then you'll know the Cold War is officially back in full swing. 😉

Everything you just listed has absolutely nothing to do with the progress of humanity. If you consider launching warheads to be "human progress," then best of luck to you. In reality, NASA has accomplished a thousand times more than those pathetic Russians.

Look, if this doesn't contribute to the progress of humanity, then I probably don't even grasp what it's actually connected to. Besides, human progress heavily relies on military strength—basically, the deployment of warheads—and honestly, I’d argue that the most effective driver for advancement is when two superpowers engage in a low-stakes conflict and intense competition. 😉

But since you mentioned it being 1,000 times more, give me a few actual examples!

goldenmason172, look, I’m not exactly a huge fan of the Russian space program either, but you really can't just brush off everything they've accomplished, can you? I see you popping up on other threads all the time and honestly, I agree with you on a ton of stuff, but it feels like you're talking about this specific topic without having the full picture.

Does it feel to you like Russian space achievements don't count for anything, while every single thing NASA does is somehow the only real progress for humanity?

I'll just list a few things here that you might have overlooked, even though Chris Barrett37 already brought some up.

Think about it: the first satellite, the first human in space, they were the ones who sent probes to the Moon first, they took those first photos of the far side of the Moon, they were the first to reach Venus—we even have photos from the surface! They even kicked off missions to Mars four years before the Americans did, even if luck wasn't on their side, plus they sent the first woman into space, performed the first spacewalk, launched the first space station, and so on.

It’s kind of silly for me to sit here and list every single thing that comes to mind, but the point is, you can't just take those milestones away from them. If you think those don't contribute to human progress, then by that same logic, none of NASA's missions contribute to progress either, right?

If you truly believe that space achievements don't matter for the future of mankind, then I honestly don't know why you're even hanging out in this thread just to bash the Russians.

I find it quite fascinating how, for two full pages now, forum members have been recycling the exact same list of Russian achievements, yet not a single person here can actually name one specific product derived from their space technology that we use in our daily lives. There are likely some, but I suspect nobody in this thread can list them, and they certainly don't compare to the scale of what NASA has delivered. I never claimed they didn't have successes; my point was simply that the world doesn't particularly care about those successes if they aren't translated into something that genuinely benefits humanity. NASA, on the other hand, has pioneered thousands of such applications. For instance, just consider how many technologies developed for space travel have found critical roles in medicine. I doubt many of you have even heard of the CCD chip! These chips are so incredibly sensitive that they can pinpoint the exact location of a tumor and determine whether it is malignant or benign just by scanning the tissue, often bypassing the need for a surgical biopsy altogether. A tumor can then be targeted and eliminated with a simple needle rather than through invasive scalpel incisions. This drastically reduces recovery times, avoids unnecessary physical trauma, minimizes medication needs, lessens fear, and ultimately saves a significant amount of money. Even the computer mouse is a byproduct of NASA's work, patented to make managing massive data sets on their computers much more efficient. And if you happen to be a gamer, you’re likely using yet another spinoff: the joystick. That originated from devices originally engineered to control the lunar rover during the Apollo mission. If you follow current tech trends, your LCD monitor is probably another legacy of the space program, developed specifically to replace those bulky, heavy cathode-ray tube monitors that were far too cumbersome for spacecraft where every ounce of weight and inch of space is precious. So, there is an abundance of things that have made our lives easier, all thanks to NASA. While we used to see mostly hardware spin-offs, today software dominates the field. Therefore, NASA's 🙏

I think this whole debate is pretty pointless. Every single invention or breakthrough mentioned here is built on centuries of grueling work by countless scientists. It’s not like Newton was kidding when he said his greatest achievements came from standing on the shoulders of giants.

goldenmason172:
Mouse, joysticks, and LCDs weren't invented at NASA, nor were they developed because of NASA (though it's true they were quickly recognized, funded, and put to use there).

Jessica Kelly4 said:I think this whole debate is pretty pointless. Every single invention or breakthrough mentioned here is built on centuries of grueling work by countless scientists. It’s not like Newton was kidding when he said his greatest achievements came from standing on the shoulders of giants.

goldenmason172:
Mouse, joysticks, and LCDs weren't invented at NASA, nor were they developed because of NASA (though it's true they were quickly recognized, funded, and put to use there).

Oh, really? 🤔 In that case, the least you could do is be a bit more specific! ☕

goldenmason172 said:Oh, really? 🤔 In that case, the least you could do is be a bit more specific! ☕

Who could possibly remember all those names? Luckily, Google is there to help you out. 🙂

Doug Engelbart developed the Mouse back in the early '60s at the Stanford Research Institute. NASA eventually took an interest, and then you get that whole story involving Xerox and Apple.

Joystick - Germany in the 40s, you've got an interesting story on Wikipedia.

The history of LCD is actually pretty fascinating. If you check Wikipedia, it goes all the way back to 1888.

Science and technology are just too massive and complex to be wasting time arguing over two major, high-stakes institutions.

At the end of the day, both American and Russian space tech—specifically rocket propulsion—is built on the backs of German scientists and engineers recruited after WWII.

Pretty informative piece on Korolev, the Russian giant of space tech:

http://www.zvjezdarnica.com/full.php...&%5C%20target=

It’s wild how much Hitler and Stalin set their countries back. Without them, space technology and the global balance of power would look completely different. But hey, wishful thinking, I guess...

Jessica Kelly4 said:I think this whole debate is pretty pointless. Every single invention or breakthrough mentioned here is built on centuries of grueling work by countless scientists. It’s not like Newton was kidding when he said his greatest achievements came from standing on the shoulders of giants.

goldenmason172:
Mouse, joysticks, and LCDs weren't invented at NASA, nor were they developed because of NASA (though it's true they were quickly recognized, funded, and put to use there).

That is precisely the most critical point, and it counts for a great deal. If it hadn't been for their foresight, we might not even have these products in our daily lives today. 👍 👍 There is still so much else we enjoy modernly simply because NASA recognized its value early on!

goldenmason172 said:That is precisely the most critical point, and it counts for a great deal. If it hadn't been for their foresight, we might not even have these products in our daily lives today. 👍 👍 There is still so much else we enjoy modernly simply because NASA recognized its value early on!

I think you’re getting a bit too hyped up about NASA. To me, the real strength of American technology lies in the countless small, innovative companies and research institutes—places like IBM—rather than in a massive behemoth like NASA.

Same goes for the science; no sane person would question Russian science or their space program. As for practical everyday benefits, I think you're right—the US economic system is great at quickly turning "military toys" into civilian tech.