The inseparability of pure and applied science, or the synergy between scientific discovery and technological advance, has already been well illustrated in the field of radio astronomy. Recent astronomical discoveries in the millimeter range, and what can he expected to emerge from the far-infrared region, make further technological developments in these relatively unexploited areas of great interest to astronomy as well as technologically challenging. The nature of problems and the goals of astronomy in this area are discussed with particular reference to technological needs and developments.