Technology Transition a Model for Infusion and Commercialization
- Paper number
IAC-06-E5.1.04
- Author
Mr. Vernotto McMillan, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), United States
- Year
2006
- Abstract
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has, as part of its charter, the mission of transferring technologies developed for the space program into the private sector for the purpose of affording back to the American people the economical and improved quality of life’s benefits associated with the technologies developed. In recent years considerable efforts have been made to utilize this program for not only transferring technologies out of the NASA Mission Programs, but also to transfer technologies into the Missions and to leverage the impact of government and private sector innovation. This paper outlines an approach and the creation of a model that brings together industry, government, and commercialization strategies that when implemented, will increase the probability of successful technology development, successful technology infusion into the Mission Programs, and successful commercialization into the private sector. This model addresses Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) between TRL 3 and TRL 6 which is typically a gap area that is too low for commercial entities or major programs to actively pursue. This model will advance the TRL to an acceptable level for program and industry to afford large investments toward either commercializing or infusion. The model identifies the following four elements necessary for successful adoption: •Mission Directorate Technology Need. This element is the most important element because if there is no technology solution required, there is no need to pursue the development. •Local Program Manager (Level 2) Buy In or Concurrence. This element is equally important because it is the program which is funded by the Mission Directorate to execute the overall effort. This Manager must provide written support as well as put resources into the effort. This assures value added and increases the probability of acceptance of the technology if development is successful. •External Partner Involvement. This element is done via leverages resources, innovative ideas, and capabilities. This will be the key entity to the commercialization aspects of the effort. •Agency Technology Transfer Organization Involvement. This element is essential to the facilitation, strategy development, commercialization planning, and seed funding aspects of the effort. In short, the collaborative model for successful technology development, infusion, and commercialization is a function of these four elements. Examples of these successes span over a period of 5 years.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-E5.1.04.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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