NASA Seeks New Approach to Tech Transfer

NASA has tried licensing its technologies, but hasn't been very successful in expanding its technology transfer program beyond a few licensees.

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=space&id=news/awst/2010/09/20/AW_09_20_2010_p77-254150.xml&headline=NASA%20Wants%20To%20Move%20Beyond%20Technology%20Auctions

There are several problems with its current approach:

1. Tech-push driven: Like universities, NASA is trying to push its basic research into the marketplace, which usually doesn't work since NASA technologies are designed for space flights, not earthly commercial applications. Moreover, tech-push approaches rarely work. Silicon Valley venture capitalists only succeed with about 10% of their portfolio companies, which are selected from thousands of business plans. If seasoned VCs cannot hit many successes, how can government managers do any better? It's mission impossible.

What NASA needs is more market- and user-driven demand. In Sweden, our Down-to-Earth Project with UmbilicalDesign.se and JIBS.se is working with companies, cities and schools that need to innovate and find space technologies a way to differentiate their products and services. For example, a white goods manufacturer had washing machine vibration problems and learned that the European Space Agency (ESA) had many solutions. Most organizations could benefit from the creative thinking and technologies from space researchers.

2. Brokers as bottlenecks: NASA and ESA use technology brokers, who are limited in the number of companies they can handle. Moreover, they do not want more competitors so few technologies can feasibly be licensed and commercialized at one time. Space agencies need to open up the licensing process by using the Internet and smartphone alerts, auctions and other business innovations to increase visibility and accelerate the process.

3. Lack of young people: Most space agency researchers and tech brokers are middle-aged professionals focused on existing businesses and industries. Few college students and postdocs, who are seeking careers and have access to the latest thinking and technologies, are invited to participate in identifying, brainstorming and commercializing space technologies. JIBS.se is one of the few examples.

4. Shortage of investors: ESA is partnering with a French venture capitalist (VC) to commercialize its technologies, but few VCs have jumped into the space commercialization business yet, mostly for developing commercial space vehicles, not sustainable earth applications where the market need is biggest.

NASA and ESA should work with VCs and sovereign funds to finance startups that want to commercialize space technologies for sustainable earth products and services. The Apollo Project, which stimulated chip and computer startups (i.e. leading to Silicon Valley), is a good example of the power of space tech commercialization. Not a bad return on investment; the electronics industry is over $500 billion a year.

So NASA has its work cut out. I hope Obama's commercialization policies is quickly expanded so the U.S. can create millions of exciting new jobs, especially for mid-career professionals and college graduates. If the U.S. could put men on the moon fifty years ago, we can put millions of Americans to work addressing climate change and other major challenges facing us.

America Wakes Up to Space Potential

The United States is suffering with 9.4% unemployment and is finally waking up to the potential of space commercialization as a way to jumpstart new job creation.

http://www.nilesstar.com/2010/09/19/global-american-space-as-a-business%E2%80%A6-is-america-ready/

Experts at the European Space Agency (ESA) estimate that each Euro generates 20x in new economic growth, double the 9x to 11x from high-tech investments. Space agencies worldwide spend $45 billion a year, which could generate $900 billion in new jobs, or 9 million jobs at year at US$100,000 per job. These are exciting, high-level jobs, not sweeping floors or serving tourists.

Obama and the Democrats are seeking new ways to create jobs. They should expand NASA's tech transfer programs and integrate them with K-16 education, job retraining programs and regional incubators. If the U.S. government did, we could give hope to millions of Americans and inspire other space agencies to do likewise.

African Americans and Space

Why should African Americans, let alone other Americans, worry about Obama's space program initiatives when they face serious unemployment problems on earth?

Simple, because space spending creates new knowledge that has benefitted everyone on earth. Examples: Chips were developed for small onboard computers for the Apollo Project, which stimulated Silicon Valley's chip and PC industries. NASA and other space agencies have developed thousands of technologies that have found their way into everyday life.

European Space Agency technology brokers estimate a 20x return for every Euro spent in space. If done properly, NASA's annual $19 billion would generate $380 billion in economic growth a year, or 3.8 million jobs annually, which would help get America back on its feet economically and employ lots of people, including African Americans.

Worldwide, space agencies spend $45 billion annually, which would generate $900 billion in growth, or 9 million new, exciting jobs a year. Not a bad return on investment. Now, will politicians wake up to the possibilities? Let hope so or we'll miss the opportunity to inspire and employ our burgeoning "Lost Generation" of unemployed college graduates who are giving up hope of pursuing wonderful careers.

Kennedy sent us on a mission to the moon. Obama and other world leaders can inspire and create jobs for this generation.

http://politic365.com/2010/08/11/%E2%80%9Clost-in-space%E2%80%9D-and-obama%E2%80%99s-vision-for-space-exploration/

Swedish Down-to-Earth Project

”Commercializing Space Technologies for a Sustainable Earth

Down to Earth is a Swedish ten-year initiative that targets current and
global challenges regarding energy, health care, transportation, water,
climate change and mega cities. The interdisciplinary project involves
solutions inspired by space technologies. The goal is industrial renewal,
job creation and sustainable growth, which requires new thinking and
methods. The space sector is an untapped source of know-how with
a great potential for technology transfer to Earth bound businesses.

The Down to Earth project started 2009 as a strategic partnership
between Jönköping International Business School and Umbilical
Design AB, to enhance this process by merging the power of space
innovation with strategies for sustainable development. Umbilical
Design is working with space technology transfer and outer space
design, and has project references with NASA, European Space Agency
and many sectors over the last ten years. JIBS works in partnership
with more than 200 universities all around the world and is one of
the world leading when it comes to research in entrepreneurship and
business renewal.

www.downtoearth.se

Contact:
Ebba Kierkegaard
ebba.kierkegaard@umbilicaldesign.se

NASA Spinoffs

For those interested in commercializing space technologies, NASA publishes Spinoff, an annual publication that features successfully commercialized NASA technologies. Since 1976, Spinoff has featured between 40 and 50 commercial products annually and maintains a searchable database of every technology published. http://www.sti.nasa.gov/spinoff/database

The NASA Innovative Partnerships Program works with the private sector to commercialize NASA technologies: http://www.sti.nasa.gov/tto/

NASA technologies are mostly untapped so this is an opportunity for companies and entrepreneurs seeking to develop innovative and sustainable products and services.

NASA Tech Transfer Program

Looking for new business opportunities related to space technologies?

NASA will issue an RFP for the NASA Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program to enable small businesses to compete for federal research and development awards. Submit proposals according to the NASA 2010 STTR solicitation.

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=34516

A Second Space Age?

Sputnik triggered a space race that stimulated massive amounts of research and investments in space and terrestrial technologies and industries. Will Obama's space commercialization policies do likewise?

Ironically, many Republicans congressmen and senators who normally oppose more government spending are opposed to Obama's latest commercialization efforts because it will trigger layoffs in their districts. This opposition, plus Sarbanes-Oxley and tougher rules on startups, will hurt the U.S. ability's to generate many new spinoff jobs at a time when jobs are the #1 concern of Americans.

How can Obama get out of this dilemma? Criticized for commercializing NASA, yet criticized for not creating enough new jobs. Perhaps Silicon Valley VCs can provide some help since they understand what's at stake.


http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Beginning-of-a-Second-Space-Age&id=4632374&opt=print