What accomplishment from the space industry benefits society?

Answer 1

The successful launch of communication satellites

"Observing Earth has provided G.P.S., meteorological forecasts, predictions and management of hurricanes and other natural disasters, and global monitoring of the environment, as well as surveillance and intelligence." says Dr. Joan Vernikos, "Satellite communications have changed life and business practices with computer operations, cell phones, global banking, and TV."

Oh-and don't forget Tang and Freeze dried food.

Dr. Michael DeBakey, collaborated with NASA on one of its most beneficial inventions, an artificial heart pump. Studying humans living in the microgravity of space has expanded our understanding of osteoporosis and balance disorders, and has led to new treatments. Wealth-generating medical devices and instrumentation such as digital mammography and outpatient breast biopsy procedures and the application of telemedicine to emergency care are but a few of the social and economic benefits of manned exploration that we take for granted.

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin said:

"We see the Space Economy in the lives saved when advanced breast cancer screening catches tumors in time for treatment, or when a heart defibrillator restores the proper rhythm of a patient's heart….We see it when weather satellites warn us of coming hurricanes, or when satellites provide information critical to understanding our environment and the effects of climate change. We see it when we use an ATM or pay for gas at the pump with an immediate electronic response via satellite. Technologies developed for exploring space are being used to increase crop yields and to search for good fishing regions at sea."

Astronaunts returning from space missions also commented on how fragile the Earth looked from space, further fueling environmentalist calls for better stewardship of the only home humans have-for now.