In response to the letter ”Earth First,” published June 16:
Unfortunately, the letter`s author does not understand the tremendous impact the space program has upon each of our lives. Historically,
approximately $25 has been returned to our economy for every dollar invested in the space program.
I hope the letter was not written on a personal computer, as much electronic technology emerged from the early efforts of the space program. I also hope this person does not watch television reports from around the world or need to make phone calls to other countries often. Satellites provide these services and are a direct outcome of the space programs of the U.S. and USSR.
And the author`s contentions that the focus is away from problems like cancer and AIDS and the problems of Earth itself are totally incorrect. Space technology has provided advances in almost every area of medical technology, including the development of new and better medicines. By looking to the stars, we are taking steps towards improving our lives and society as a whole. If this person feels that our society is backward now, I would certainly hate to live in it had we not embarked upon a challenging and visionary space program more than 30 years ago.
