Summary 



• "Applications" concentrates not on the major goal of NASA, space exploration, 

 but on an important secondary aim: applications research and technology 

 transfer. Noting that NASA programs have generated over 30,000 documented 

 spinoffs, the paper defines Federal and Agency policy supporting space 

 applications. It then identifies the 16 Commercial Centers for the Development 

 of Space and three university centers involved in life sciences applications, all 

 established since 1985. While the Life Sciences Division does not specifically 

 support technology transfer projects, commercial interfaces have been effectively 

 implemented with life sciences personnel at the Centers. The paper suggests 

 that a lead individual should be appointed at NASA Headquarters to receive 

 questions on commercialization and refer them to the appropriate Centers. 



The U.S. civil space program has reached a significant threshold. This country 

 is contemplating a future in space that will involve increasingly complex 

 missions that may include human bases on the Moon and Mars, as well as 

 intensified satellite observation of Earth. NASA has recognized the critical role 

 of the life sciences in facilitating and participating in such missions and must 

 now commit the resources required to implement the strategy given in this 

 report. 



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