Exploring the Unknown - NASA's History Office

EXPLORING THE UNKNOWN 565
(3) provide for the widest practicable and appropriate dissemination of information
concerning its activities and the results thereof.”
Note that the provision does not state, as sometimes suggested, that NASA must provide
the widest dissemination of information but only that which is practicable and appropriate.
“Practicable” presumably means within the limits of budgets, personnel, and
communications and dissemination systems. “Appropriate” would mean within the limits
of security classification, audience and user characteristics, commercial considerations
and national self-interest.
NASA’s statutory obligations to develop and lead in aeronautics and space technology
and to disseminate results widely may sometimes conflict. NASA may properly develop
more technology than it need report, reporting only that which is practicable and appropriate.
(Obviously, NASA cannot “preserve” US technological leadership if it publishes the
full details of its technological activities and expertise in all circumstances.)
GENERATION AND TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY
• Generation of technology
The generation of technology (in NASA) derives from in-house and contracted work
in space programs and projects, aeronautical programs and projects, energy programs
and projects and the developmental aspects of the technology utilization program.
Supporting research and technology and the NASA capabilities in quality assurance and
management also significantly contribute to the technology base.
[4] • Transfer of technology
The transfer of technology occurs both deliberately and inadvertently, and transfers
may be prime objectives or entirely incidental to other activities. Examples of the variety
of transfer mechanisms which operate are the following:
Transfer Mechanisms Involving Personal Contact
Advisory committees
NASA seminars and workshops
Professional activity
Personnel mobility
Ongoing technical exchanges
Personal discussions
Transfer Mechanisms Involving Agreements, Contracts and Patents
Cooperative NASA programs:
with governmental agencies
with US industry
with foreign nations
Industry use of NASA facilities
NASA RFP’s and work statements (US and foreign)
Contract and Subcontract implementation
Patents, licenses, waivers, etc.
Transfer Mechanisms Involving Technical Literature
Publications:
Tech Briefs, STAR, [Industrial Applications Center] searches,
Technology for Aviation and Space
Documentation provided with licenses
Literature informally provided upon request
Test reports and analyses
COSMIC