by David Kramer

Created on: December 13, 2007

The spin off developments from NASA cannot lead to technologies that help clean up the environment. The environment is already clean thus there is no need driving technologies that will make it cleaner.

The space program innovations can result in technologies, like fuel cells that were used a half century ago that do not produce hydrocarbons and other noxious by-products into our atmosphere. Filtration systems used to purify the waste products of astronauts into drinkable water could likewise be used in water treatment facilities for public supply or home use. There are hundreds of various applications and will be more.

The world, however, does not need cleaning. If it did, then it would mean we have been slothful in taking care of a resource that is essential in sustaining life of humanity, animals, plants, and insects. This is not the case.

Why? As long as we continue to sit back and status quo internal combustion and diesel engines, band-aid solutions like hybrids or electric vehicles (which still need power, typically generated by burning coal), and allow proven technologies sit on the shelf, we could not possibly have a problem with a dirty planet.

As we continue to dump chemicals into our water supply, throw cigarette butts out our car windows, neglect to use solar power, fail to recycle, and the list goes on, these are all indications that society does not believe the world needs cleaning. If we truly believed there is a problem, our behavior would follow. This would then drive demand which might be met by some derivative or whole innovation developed by NASA.

Since we are not an ignorant people, and technologies developed by NASA today could help create a greener and cleaner earth, the earth must not be dirty. Maybe when the earth is dirty, then NASA's innovations could translate to technologies that improve our environment. Until we as a society believe there is a problem by our actions, these potential solutions will remain on the shelf.

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