Space exploration leads to technology advances Many technologies that we have today are a direct result of research done for space explorations. One such example is that computers needed to be smaller and lightweight for the Apollo missions; this led to the development of the microprocessor, which is the basis of modern computing. NASA research into lightweight, cost-effective, easily-produced and efficient materials not only contribute to their efforts in space, but also to life down on Earth, and that's one reason why space exploration is important.