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Was the space program worth it?


Randomguy

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That is such an urban legend. First off, the pen did not leak, it just would not write due to ink being GRAVITY fed.

 

The USA started developing a pen and then abandoned when it was deemed that the development and production costs were too high. The US and Russians both used pencils in the early days

 

Fisher developed the pen using private capitol, which was later used by both the US and Russian space programs.

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That is such an urban legend. First off, the pen did not leak, it just would not write due to ink being GRAVITY fed.

 

The USA started developing a pen and then abandoned when it was deemed that the development and production costs were too high. The US and Russians both used pencils in the early days

 

Fisher developed the pen using private capitol, which was later used by both the US and Russian space programs.

 

Don't confuse us.  You're letting facts get in the way here.

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The USA started developing a pen and then abandoned when it was deemed that the development and production costs were too high.

 

 

 

the contractor spent 100% of the budget, but only developed 10% of the pen, so NASA pulled the plug

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here is a list I found:

 

Spinoff Year(s)

Technology

1976, 1977, 1981, 2002, 2005

Memory Foam

1976

Improved Firefighter’s Breathing System

1977, 1979

Liquid-Cooled Garments

1978, 1990

Fabric Roof Structures

1978, 1981, 1983, 2005

Phase-Insensitive Ultrasonic Transducer

1981

Cordless Tools

1983, 1986

PMR-15 Polyimide Resin

1984, 1996

Scratch Resistant Lenses

1985, 2008

Redox Energy Storage System

1985

Safety Grooving

1985, 1986, 1987, 1991, 1993, 2003, 2008

Earth Resources Laboratory Applications Software (ELAS)

1987, 2008

VisiScreen (Ocular Screening System)

1988

Sewage Treatment With Water Hyacinths

1989

Data Acquisition and Control System Model 9450/CAMAC

1990

NASA Structural Analysis (NASTRAN) Computer Software

1991

Heart Defibrillator Energy Source

1992

Dexterous Hand Master (DHM)

1994

Ballistic Electron Emission Microscope (BEEM)

1994, 2008

Omniview Motionless Camera

1994

Stereotactic Breast Biopsy Technology

1995

1100C Virtual Window

1995, 2006, 2008

Microbial Check Valve

1996, 2004

Tetrahedral Unstructured Software System (TetrUSS)

1996

Anti-Shock Trousers

1996

Automated Hydrogen Gas Leak Detector

1996

Ceramics Analysis and Reliability Evaluation of Structures/ Life (CARES/Life)

1996

Memory Short Stack Semiconductor

1997

Foster-Miller Fiber Optic Polymer Reaction Monitor

1997, 2007

Power Factor Controller

1997

Reaction/Momentum Wheel: Apparatus for Providing Torque and for Storing Momentum Energy

1998

Data Matrix Symbology

1999

Active Pixel Sensor

1999

DeltaTherm 1000

1999

Superex Tube Extrusion Process

1999

Precision GPS Software System

1999

Process for Preparing Transparent Aromatic Polyimide Film

1999

Tempest Server

2000

Genoa: A Progressive Failure Analysis Software System

2000

Humanitarian Demining Device

2001

Composite Matrix Resins and Adhesives (PETI-5)

2001, 2008

Flexible Aerogel Superinsulation

2001

LARC PETI-5 Polyimide Resin

2001

The SeaWiFS Data Analysis System (SeaDAS)

2001

TOR Polymers

2001

Video Image Stabilization and Registration (VISAR)

2002

Automatic Implantable Cardiovertor Defibrillator

2002

DeBakey Rotary Blood Pump (Ventricular Assist Device-VAD)

2002

Hybrid Ice Protection System

2002

Quantum Well Infrared Photodetector (QWIP)

2002

Virtual Window

2003

Cart3D

2003

Cochlear Implant

2003

Generalized Fluid System Simulation Program

2003

LADARVision 4000

2003

MedStar Monitoring System

2003

Personal Cabin Pressure Altitude Monitor and WarningSystem

2004

InnerVue Diagnostic Scope System

2004

Land Information System (LIS) v. 4.0

2004

NanoCeram Superfilters

2004

Numerical Propulsion System Simulation (NPSS) 

2004

Outlast Smart Fabric Technology

2004

Photrodes for Electrophysiological Monitoring

2005

PS/PM300 High-Temperature Solid Lubricant Coatings

2005

iROBOT PackBOT Tactical Mobile Robot

2005, 2008

Light-Emitting Diodes for Medical Applications

2005

Numerical Evaluation of Stochastic Structures Under Stress (NESSUS)

2005

THUNDER Actuators

2005

Zero-Valent Metal Emulsion for Reductive Dehalogenation of DNAPL-Phase Environmental Contaminants

2006

Novariant RTK AutoFarm AutoSteer

2006

Radiant Barrier

2006

2006 Petroleum Remediation Product

2007

Advanced Lubricants

2007

Atomic Oxygen System for Art Restoration

2007

Future Air Traffic Management Concepts Evaluation Tool (FACET)

2007

Macro-Fiber Composite Actuator

2007

Portable-Hyperspectral Imaging Systems

2007

ResQPOD: Circulation-Enhancing Device

2007

ArterioVision: Noninvasive Cardiovascular Disease Detection

2008

DMBZ-15 High-Temperature Polyimide

2008

LaRC-SI: Soluble Imide

2008

Wireless Measurement Acquisition System

2008

Optical Backscatter Reflectometer

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