What Space Missions Have Done For Us Earthlings

President Obama recently said that Americans will be sending man to Mars. Space discoveries and explorations require humongous investments which is one of the major criticisms. But many significant innovations have been made through space travel – in dentistry and other aspects of our earthly lives.

Key takeaways:

• Invisible dental braces were an invention of space programs. The transparent ceramic brace brackets make teeth-straightening less embarrassing.
• Space programs have pioneered technologies such as medical imaging, including the computed axial tomography (CAT) scan and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners.
• Ear thermometers were developed and first used by space scientists. It is a camera-like lens that detects infrared energy emitted as heat.

Freeze-dried food – this reduces food weight and increases shelf life without sacrificing nutritional value, a vital invention to allow astronauts to survive in space. Its spin-offs, from freeze-dried fruit and vegetables to ready meals, can be found in any supermarket.

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