Final answer:
The author supports the claim of greater space discoveries due to technological innovations through examples of NASA's space program advancements and personal experiences that demonstrate the extensive impact of these technologies on both space exploration and societal applications.
Step-by-step explanation:
The author supports the claim that greater discoveries in outer space are happening thanks to technological innovations by highlighting the numerous contributions of NASA's space projects to scientific advancements. By working with samples of coatings used in space flight, which now help in preserving artifacts and scientific specimens on Earth, the space program exemplifies how innovative materials and technologies conceived for space have spillover effects on terrestrial applications.
Furthermore, the involvement of the author in space-related endeavors, such as building a laser system to test fundamental aspects of gravity, exemplifies personal experience with how technology originally designed for space use has far-reaching impacts.
The Voyager I mission is acknowledged for its ongoing technological benefits, despite concerns about the equitable distribution of these advancements. The work of economists like Tyler Cowen is cited, emphasizing the societal impacts and the widening technological gap that may result from innovations in space technology. It's important to recognize both the advancements and the distribution challenges that accompany them.