Exploring the Unknown - NASA's History Office

566
SPACE AS AN INVESTMENT IN ECONOMIC GROWTH
[5] Other Transfer Mechanisms
Exhibits
Technology Utilization program projects
Theft, leaks, espionage
• Effectiveness of different transfer mechanisms
The effectiveness of different transfer mechanisms was rated according to the following
table (see page 6) reproduced from the Bucy Report (which focused primarily on the
problem of the export control of DOD technology, but has broader implications).
CURRENT NASA POLICIES/PRACTICES
PROMOTING TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
• Domestic policies
In aeronautics, NASA carries on the tradition of NACA in working closely with the
Defense agencies and with US industry to contribute an advancing technology base upon
which both can draw. Recent examples relating to Defense are the dual inter-active flight
simulation at LaRC [Langley Research Center], the helicopter program at ARC [Ames
Research Center], the Hi-Mat project at DFRC [Dryden Flight Research Center], etc.
More broadly relating to the aeronautical industry are the energy-efficient engine and
composite primary aircraft structures programs. These programs are most often shaped,
organized and funded in NASA, then carried out through contractor work or a combination
of in-house and contractor work. Where the defense agencies are involved, there is
generally joint funding; even in non-defense work, industry may contribute in some part
to the funding requirements.
Also in aeronautics, NASA actively supports developmental or operational research of
interest to the Department of Transportation, generally managing the projects and providing
or sharing the funding.
[6] [Effectiveness of Technology Transfer According to Industry and Transfer Mechanism
originally placed here]
[7] In applications, NASA carries out a variety of programs designed to transfer technology
to the private and public sectors. Congress, as well as states and local governments,
exert pressures on NASA to develop affirmative and aggressive programs of technology
transfer. NASA’s efforts to transfer technology parallel those of other government agencies
such as the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Commerce.
Space applications in the field of communications and meteorology, for example,
were developed in NASA, demonstrated successfully and then taken up in the first case by
both public agencies and private corporations and in the second case by the Department
of Commerce for operational use. Currently, NASA is developing satellite remote sensing
and assisting particularly the public sector to assimilate and apply the analytical techniques
required to use the satellite data product.
The NASA applications program stretches over a broad range of activities. New technology
is developed, particularly in the civil systems area. There are R&D projects which
apply NASA know-how to non-aerospace civil sector problems. Projects such as the activated
carbon water treatment system represent potential contributions to the solution of
significant scientific, social and economic problems. Others such as the system for underwater
survey and exploration represent the unique contribution of NASA technology and
expertise to the solution of non-aerospace problems.
Application System Verification and Test (ASVT) programs are cooperative projects
with Federal and non-Federal public sector agencies. Potential ASVT projects are identified
at the field centers, with final selection at the Headquarters office of NASA. The field