Peter B. Dews, M.D. 

 Chairperson 



Carolyn L. Huntoon, Ph.D. 



Frederick C. Robbins, M.D. 



Mark Schlam 



Staff Associate 



Mathew R. Schwaller, Ph.D. 



Staff Associate 



Applications 



NASA's space program is built on a history of innovation, research, and devel- 

 opment in science and engineering. Although applications research is not a part 

 of the Agency's primary goal in space exploration, many of NASA's innovations do 

 have commercial potential. Indeed, NASA's programs have generated over 30,000 

 documented spinoffs. 



It is clearly in the national interest to transfer NASA's technological innovations to 

 the private sector. Technology transfer and commercialization can, however, divert 

 resources from the overall Agency mission. Thus, NASA has had to strike a bal- 

 ance between its primary mission in space exploration and its interest in applying 

 research results to new products and services. This summary examines the policies 

 that govern NASA's ability to develop applications and to transfer relevant technol- 

 ogy. In addition, it explores current Life Sciences programs to identify areas where 

 technological innovations are likely to yield significant new commercial 

 applications in the near term. 



Federal Policy Concerning Space Applications 



The Space Act of 1958 established NASA as the agency responsible for the U.S. 

 space program and recognized the importance of space exploration in areas of 

 national interest, such as defense, economic development, and scientific 

 competitiveness. It also required NASA to promote the peaceful use of space for 

 the benefit of mankind. The Stevenson-Wylder Technology Innovation Act of 1980 

 went further in defining how these objectives can be met, specifically, by funding 

 programs to transfer innovative space technology into the non-space sectors of 

 U.S. society. This legislation created the Federal Laboratory Consortium to encour- 

 age the exchange of scientific and technical personnel among Government-funded 

 laboratories and to establish Commercial Centers for the Development of Space. 

 These centers, identified in table 2, now serve as focal points for innovative 

 research and development related to space by providing seed money and technical 

 advice to promising commercial ventures, especially to small businesses. 



The Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986 made technology transfer a respons- 

 ibility of each scientist and engineer at Federal laboratories and a factor to be con- 

 sidered in promotion policies, performance evaluations, and job descriptions. 



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