For many Americans, the most visible images of space are the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. These programs have accomplished amazing things and have greatly contributed to our quality of life. However, that's just the tip of the iceberg. Most of what goes on in space is transparent to the average person. We do not see space at the Automatic Teller Machine or at the checkout counter in the supermarket, but it is there. Precise timing signals from the Global Positioning System synchronize financial transactions, making them possible. Most people probably don't think about space when they are cooking dinner, but it plays a role there too. Farmers use space assets to map the mineral and moisture content of their fields. The cost savings farmers achieve are then passed to consumers. Similarly, it takes space capabilities to get accurate weather forecasts and provide seamless world-wide communication connectivity. In total, today's space industry exceeds $100 billion annually world-wide, and is projected to exceed $150 billion per year by 2010. We could do without space capabilities, but only if we are willing to step back in time about 30 years.

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Lord, Lance W. "Why America Needs Space: The Prerequisites for Success." High Frontier Journal. Vol. 2, No. 1 (September 2005): 2-3. [ 2 quotes ] [ page 2 ]