A quick googling of "nasa developed technologies" revealed some interesting links. http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/spinoffs2.shtml http://spaceplace.nasa.go

A quick googling of "nasa developed technologies" revealed some interesting links. http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/spinoffs2.shtml http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/spinoffs2.shtml http://www.sti.nasa.gov/tto/ http://www.sti.nasa.gov/tto/ http://www.sti.nasa.gov/tto/Spinoff2009/pdf/Brochure_09_web.pdf http://www.sti.nasa.gov/tto/Spinoff2009/pdf/Brochure_09_web.... I would guess that on balance, investments in NASA have resulted in a highly positive (direct and indirect) ROI for America and indeed the rest of the world. Perhaps the benefits aren't communicated as well as they could be.