China Commercializing Space

The Chinese space agency just announced plans to open new research centers to commercialize its technologies for use in space science, information technology, energy and health.

http://www.laboratoryequipment.com/news-china-unveils-space-science-goals-for-2020-020911.aspx?xmlmenuid=51

As China shifts from low-cost manufacturing to innovation, it is investing heavily in cutting-edge technologies in order to create new jobs and industries for its millions of young people graduating from college -- a challenge facing the world. European Space Agency (ESA) advisers estimate each US dollar of space spending generates 15x in economic growth so the stakes are high.

China, Europe, and U.S. are racing to leverage space to create jobs. NASA Ames recently announced plans to expand its research park to spin off more technologies and companies. ESA has partnered with a Paris VC to set up a space tech fund. Sweden has launched the Down-to-Earth (DTE) Project to commercialize space technologies for sustainable products and services.

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/nasa-on-building-silicon-valley-outpost-for-tech-start-ups/44599

At Shanghai Expo 2010, our DTE Project held a workshop, which attracted China's top space agency officials as well as local and foreign companies and government agencies. DTE is planning a China-to-Helsinki space school on the Trans-Siberian Railway this spring.

The new "space race" promises to create exciting new jobs and industries, just as the Apollo Project helped Silicon Valley startups get off the ground during the 1960s.

NASA Ames Expands Research Park

NASA Ames is expanding its research park activities to leverage Obama's new commercialization policies. For decades, NASA has co-developed thousands of cutting-edge technologies that have been adopted by aerospace, medical, IT, sports and other industries. This new initiative leverages Silicon Valley's research strengths to create new technologies that will drive innovation in the valley for the coming decades.

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/nasa-on-building-silicon-valley-outpost-for-tech-start-ups/44599

NASA's commercialization policies focus on new space launch vehicles, but the real goldmine will be down-to-earth applications for sustainable products and services, such as electric vehicles, mobile imaging, healthcare, green cities, etc.

In Sweden, I'm collaborating on the Down-to-Earth Project with Umbilical Design (www.umbilicaldesign.se) and JIBS.se on commercializing European Space Agency technologies for sustainable products and services with Swedish companies, municipalities and schools.

We're not only focused on technologies, but also the inspiration and new concepts stimulated by space research and exploration. For example, the rubber wheels of the Mars Rover led to extreme sailing wetsuits that are more tolerant of cold. Space helmets are being adapted to alpine skiing helmets.

NASA Ames has a major opportunity to develop down-to-earth products and services that could unlock totally new markets. After all, the Apollo Project contributed to the development of chips, personal computers and the ultimate spinoff, Silicon Valley.