1. INVESTMENTS IN OUR FUTURE:
EXPLORING SPACE THROUGH INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Dr. Bobby Braun
NASA Chief Technologist
Maryland Space Business Roundtable
June 21, 2011
6. Space Technology: From Concept to Flight
Providing Infusion for NASA’s Future Missions
Visions of the Future
Idea
Idea
Is it Flight Ready?
Does it WORK?
Idea Infusion
Idea
Opportunities
Idea Possible
Solution for NASA
Possible Possible
Idea Idea
Solution Solution
Mission
Idea Possible Directorates,
Solution
Idea
Other Govt.
Idea Agencies, and
Idea Industry
Idea
Industry
Academia
Gov’t
Mature crosscutting capabilities
Creative ideas regarding Prove feasibility of novel, early-
that advance multiple future space
future NASA systems or stage ideas with potential to
missions to flight readiness status
solutions to national needs. revolutionize a future NASA mission
and/or fulfill national need.
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF TECHNOLOGIST www.nasa.gov/oct 5
7. Space Technology: Investments in Our Future
• Enabling Our Future in Space: By investing in high payoff, disruptive
technology that industry cannot tackle today, Space Technology matures the
technology required for NASA’s future missions in science and exploration while
proving the capabilities and lowering the cost of other government agencies and
commercial space activities.
• Building U.S. Economic Competitiveness: With a portfolio of
innovative, high-risk, high-return research, NASA will stimulate the economy
and build our Nation’s global economic competitiveness through the creation of
new products and services, new business and industries, and high-quality,
sustainable jobs. For every $1M invested in Space Technology, NASA expects
as many as 20 high tech jobs in the U.S.
• Technological Leadership is Key to Winning the Future: Space
Technology is the central NASA contribution to a revitalized set of federal
investments in research, technology and innovation across the Nation. Through
investments in Space Technology, NASA can be a significant part of the solution
to our nation's economic, national security and geopolitical challenges.
• Making a Difference in Our Lives Everyday: Knowledge provided by
weather and navigational spacecraft, efficiency improvements in both ground
and air transportation, biomedical applications including blood-flow monitoring
devices, pacemakers, and Lasik eye surgery, as well as the protective armor
that keeps our military, firefighters and police safe all benefitted from our
nation’s investments in aerospace technology. By investing in Space
Technology, NASA will continue to make a difference in the world around us.
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8. Example Space Technology Projects
ISS MISSE-X Experiment (LaRC)
ISS SPHERES Fluid-Slosh Experiment (KSC)
Human-Robotic Systems (JSC)
Autonomous Systems (ARC)
Robotic Satellite Servicing (GSFC)
Cryogenic Propellant Storage and
Transfer (GRC)
Low Density Supersonic Decelerators (JPL) Optical Communications (JPL/GSFC)
Composite Cryotanks (MSFC)
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9. Space Technology: Improving Our Lives
Winglets Save Fuel Cost
LED Light Therapy For Pain
Management
Clean Energy
Advanced Diagnostic Groundwater Remediation
Ultrasound in Microgravity
Infrared Thermometers
Aerogel Insulation Eye Exams
Lithium Batteries for Cars
Tornado damage Flooding at the Junction
near Birmingham, of the Mississippi and
Alabama (5/4/11) Ohio Rivers (5/3/11)
Nutritional Supplements
Sports and Recreation
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Weather Forecasting
10. NASA and Maryland Aerospace Industry
• Maryland is the home of NASA’s Goddard Spaceflight
Center and hosts 16 of America’s top 25 aerospace companies.
• Maryland employs over 140,000 scientists, engineers and
technicians in the Aerospace and Defense industries.
• Goddard contributes $4B to local spending and output
(Source: GSFC Economic Impact Report and FY 2009 NASA GSFC Budget)
• In FY 2010, NASA spent
over $1.5 billion in prime
contracts and grants to
Maryland businesses
and academia.
• $192 million of that was
invested in educational institutions,
including John Hopkins University
and the University of Maryland.
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11. NASA Spinoffs Become Maryland Businesses
Martek Biosciences Corp. Vitabot
Intelligent Automation Inc. (IAI)
Columbia, Maryland Beltsville, Maryland
Rockville, MD
• Derived from food & oxygen • NASA’s Aeronautics Research • NASA studied how remote-
experiments for future long-duration Mission Directorate has worked to controlled robots could assist human
human exploration missions, a address issues related to the operations in space (telerobotics).
method for manufacturing an algae- overburdened National Airspace High-order programming algorithms.
based food supplement that provides System (NAS)
the nutrients previously only available • Adapted to nutirition, Vitabot’s
in breast milk was developed • With SBIR support, IAI continued intelligent software allows users to set
work on specialized software that health goals and then plan balanced
• Now found in over 90% of infant now enables NASA’s Airspace meals using a food database
formulas sold in the U.S., as well as Concept Evaluation System
those sold in over 65 other countries • The program helps users achieve
• The agent-based infrastructure balanced nutrition and weight loss
• Over 24 million babies worldwide allows researchers to model the
have consumed this nutritional NAS down to individual flights • Vitabot’s nearly 1,000 company
additive, earning the company more clients include corporate wellness
than $300 million in revenue • 120 Jobs created as a result of programs for HBO & Warner Brothers,
NASA products with $25M in health clubs like Gold’s Gym, and the
• Martek was recently acquired by revenue U.S. Air Force and has experienced
DSM for $1.1B 1500% growth since 2009
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