Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete4
Typical satellite cost about 50-100 million dollars, cost another 20-50 million to launch, has to operate at temperatures close to absolute zero for 5-10 years, be exposed to heavy radiation and usually is one of a kind with no chance of being repaired. Hardly a comparison to mass produced $30k car.
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IMHO, cost isn't the relevant immediate comparison. I think it goes beyond the "If they can put a man on the moon they...." As someone who watched our space program with wonder and awe from inception to yesterday's shuttle, landing...I can't even begin to catalog the now affordable wonders we all enjoy everyday that had their origins in technology developed for for the space program. The laptop I write on now or Tang for example.
