NASA has requested a $19 billion budget for fiscal 2017. That’s a lot of money.

Some would argue that it would be better to add that amount to the defense budget. Others, that it should be used to help the needy and resolve glaring social problems plaguing U.S. society. Others still might say that investing in technology instead would help improve our quality of life.

However, that would be superficial thinking, and here’s why: Investing in space exploration isn’t about spending money so that the trained officers in funny suits can bounce around in low gravity and make awesome YouTube music videos. It’s about understanding the universe we are part of, so we can better solve the issues that affect us here on Earth. And as you will see, NASA has done more than its share of that work.

In Pakistan, NASA water-purification technology has been used to develop a street-side vending machine for safe water, known as a “filling station.” Watseco.net

For example, life-support systems technology developed for the ISS (International Space Station) can be used to improve water-purification efforts necessary in many parts of the world where drinkable water isn’t abundant. In fact, the Water Security Corp., in collaboration with other organizations, has deployed systems using NASA water-processing technology around the world.

Protein formation on Earth (left) vs in space (right) NASA

Space is ideal for the growth of complex crystalline structures known as proteins. In space, these crystals grow more slowly and form structures of a higher quality than those on Earth. These are then used in the development of medical treatments. One breakthrough includes a protein called hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthase (H-PGDS), which could improve treatment of the incurable Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) by almost doubling the lifespan of DMD sufferers.

Another important advancement is HICO, or Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean. This is a device used to measure the quality of water and other parameters such as clarity, plankton concentrations, light absorption and so on. Mounting the device on ISS has given us an unprecedented overview of the state of world oceans and bodies of water, helping researchers to gain even better insight into the state of global pollution, thus facilitating prevention and expediting necessary countermeasures.

A wall in a confined space with, and without, an active ADVASC-derived air purifier. NASA

Do you like to eat apples? Thank NASA. Its research developed a system called ADVASC, or Advanced Astroculture. It was designed to protect plants in space habitats from viruses, bacteria and mold. The system was later adapted for air-purification purposes. ADVASC is now being used in grocery stores to keep air free of microorganisms, which helps prolong the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. It is also used in wine cellars.

Impressive, right? Well, there’s plenty more where that came from. Here’s a list of some of the technologies that we use today developed with NASA’s help: infrared ear thermometers, ventricular assist devices, artificial limbs, light-emitting diodes in medical therapies, aircraft anti-icing systems, improved radial tires, video-enhancing and analysis systems, firefighting equipment, digital-image sensors, solar cells, improved mine safety, food safety and more. Find out more about these NASA spinoff technologies here.

The same goes for NASA’s Mars missions. It remains to be seen when or whether this planet will become humanity’s next destination in the face of possible extinction, but the project will certainly create a cross-pollination effect across scientific disciplines after scientists and astronauts start tackling the challenges the Red Planet places before them.

Finally, humankind has always explored its environment — from the smallest settlements to the grandest of cities, we’ve grown, conquered and prospered. The universe is yet another challenging environment that will enable humanity to reach its potential, this time among the stars. Is it worth it? I very much believe so.

What do you think? Please let me know in the comment section below.