In 1994 in response to the Report of the National Performance Review (From Red Tape to Results: Creating Government That Works Better and Costs Less: NASA Section), NASA published its "Agenda for Change." The agenda calls for an increased emphasis on the prompt availability of NASA technology and technical expertise to nonaerospace industry in the United States. The John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) has risen to this challenge by expanding efforts to identify KSC industrial customers and to provide them with mutually beneficial partnership opportunities. Efforts have been initiated to augment and streamline the Technology Transfer, Dual Use, and Patents License Programs and to develop measurements of the value of KSC technology to the U.S. economy.
KSC has joined with the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), the John C. Stennis Space Center (SSC), and the Southern Technology Applications Center (STAC) to develop a Southeast Regional Industry Outreach Partnership. The program will standardize the participating organizations' approach to metrics and will facilitate transfer and resolution of industry assistance requests within the region.
In support of the Southeast Regional Outreach Partnership, KSC is initiating an agreement with Florida Technological Research and Development Authority (TRDA) to assist in outreach to the Florida manufacturing community in early 1995. TRDA will effect the program through local Economic Development Councils, which will work closely with KSC to provide Florida industry with access to NASA technological expertise and resources in the resolution of industrial problems. The program will provide a unique resource to any Florida industry that may benefit through prompt assistance from NASA's special technological capabilities.
Existing KSC-developed technology available for commercialization is highlighted and continues to be made accessible to industry through KSC Opportunity Sheets as well as the publication NASA Tech Briefs. KSC Opportunity Sheets provide quick-response distribution of information on KSC developments that are determined to have commercial potential. Distribution at trade shows and to call-in or E-Mail requesters provides industry streamlined access to these opportunities.
A World Wide Web Internet Home Page for the Technology Transfer and Commercialization Programs at KSC has been established and is available at URL:http://technology.ksc.nasa.gov. Information on the KSC programs and staff is available through this service.
KSC has developed a streamlined procedure for obtaining a moderate cost, nonexclusive license of patented KSC technology. The simplified procedure is designed to maximize distribution and commercialization of NASA technology that may be of interest to multiple commercial firms. Exclusive license opportunities are also available. KSC currently has approximately 100 current patented technologies available for license.
KSC is pursuing an expanded Dual Use Program during 1995. Projects that come under the dual use umbrella are those that develop technology into products that both meet a NASA/KSC need and have commercial opportunities. The first of these projects was a joint effort with the Department of Energy for developing an electrically conductive polymer that can be used in coating systems that protect metal from corrosion damage. This has immediate applicability to KSC operations and has potential markets wherever metal structures face the potentially harmful effects of corrosive environments.
During 1994, work proceeded on another dual use agreement to jointly develop the Universal Signal Conditioning Amplifier (USCA), which can universally connect all types of sensors and transducers to current and proposed data acquisition systems. The USCA is needed for use in KSC operations but also has applications in industry. USCA was developed by engineers at NASA KSC and I-NET Space Services, a KSC engineering support contractor. TRDA, with its commercial partner Loral Test and Information Systems, is developing the USCA. Loral is readying the amplifier for manufacture, with the first units expected to be produced in early 1995. A follow-on agreement was also signed with TRDA and Loral to jointly develop the Advanced Data Acquisition System (ADAS) to collect the digital data output of multiple USCA's.
Finally, in an agreement with TRDA, KSC is conducting a characterization study of a supersonic cleaning nozzle that is designed to be used for cleaning parts that were previously cleaned using chlorofluorocarbons. When the characterization study is complete, KSC plans to pursue a dual use partnership with a company to develop the nozzle for a number of commercial cleaning applications.
KSC will continue to augment and streamline its commercialization efforts during 1995. New ideas, new approaches, and new initiatives are essential to continue KSC's mission to best serve the American people in the current changing economic environment. KSC is open to creative approaches in technology development and research partnerships with commercial manufacturers and other governmental or nongovernmental organizations. Questions on or interest in any of the above programs should be addressed to the KSC Technology Commercialization Office at mail code DE-TPO, John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899, or call (321) 867-3017, or send to E-Mail: technology.transfer@ksc.nasa.gov.