Everyone’s life is more or less connected to the technological progress achieved through scientific activity, but it takes time to realize the power of science in real life, says Luan Enjie, chief commander of China’s Chang’e-1 mission.

The Apollo missions exemplified the impact of lunar exploration on the development process of American society. Its effects made themselves felt in a range of fields including information technology, telecommunications and public health.

Analysis suggested that the rate of return on the Apollo missions was at least one to six; in other words, every dollar spent on the program would produce a return of six dollars to society, said Yang Yuguang, a researcher from China Aerospace Science & Industry Corp.

The knowledge and skills used for the 3,000 welds on each of the rocket engines that propelled Chang’e-3 into space have already been applied to machinery used for the production of some sugar substitutes, according to Sun Huixian, deputy engineer-in-chief of second phase of China’s lunar program.

High-tech sunglasses, the memory foam pillow, and high-resolution cameras in mobile phones are all examples of the application of space technology in the real world.

But in practice, Chang’e technology has very limited applications at the moment. It will take time for the program to deliver benefits that can be applied on the ground.