Exploring the Unknown - NASA's History Office

Proposal for Enhancing NASA Technology
Transfer to Civil Systems
September 26, 1969 . . .
[1] CHAPTER III
Objectives
Since the assignment for this study was phrased in very general terms, it was helpful
initially to break down the subject matter into manageable categories. The following list
indicates the scope of the study, with the understanding that it represents a selection of
the most important elements, without which one cannot obtain a valid picture. The objectives
flow quite naturally from the list.
1) Examine the current status of Federal public policy for R&D, with emphasis on congressional
and public attitudes and the guidance of the White House advisory
organizations.
2) Understand the history and nature of NASA as a national R&D resource.
3) Obtain some feeling for the diversified and scattered NASA activities in nonaerospace
and non-aeronautical R&D. How did these projects arise, how are they justified
and funded, and why are they relatively inconspicuous within NASA’s program
structure?
4) What is the current best understanding of the nature of technology transfer among
government, industry, universities, and institutes? What is NASA’s perceived role and
effectiveness?
5) Assemble a list of national, civil, social problem areas that have some obvious technology
components.
6) Develop generalized criteria for evaluation of the above in order to reduce the list to
a fewer number suitable for NASA interest and investigation.
7) Recommend a small number of problems for serious consideration as NASA challenges,
with appropriate suggestive pros and cons for each.
8) Propose policy, organizational adaptation, and actions that NASA might consider to
enhance its responsiveness and contributions to the public welfare, in addition to its
major responsibility for assigned missions.
[2] CHAPTER IV
I - Observations
EXPLORING THE UNKNOWN 547
Observations and Recommendations
1. NASA possesses certain unique talents and experience that are relevant to technology
needs of public problems, either directly or with minor modification. These are
generally in the categories of specific technology, systems engineering, and organization
and management.
2. NASA is faced with an opportunity to take new organizational and program initiatives
to apply a small portion of its resources, say two percent, on a continuing basis to technology
applications in public fields.
3. There are many indications that the public and government environment is now generally
favorable to such initiatives if they are convincingly explained and vigorously
advocated. Although some political and jurisdictional problems will be encountered,