Paper Session II-C - Technology Transfer and The Office of Advanced Concepts and Technology

NASA has a continuing mission to develop and transfer advanced technologies for the benefit of government space programs, the aerospace industry and the nation\u27s economy. In October, 1992, the NASA Administrator created a new Office of Advanced Concepts and Technology (OACT) that is comprised of both the former NASA Office of Commercial Programs (OCP) and the Space Technology Directorate of the Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology (OAST). The purposes of this new office include the development of innovative new technologies and concepts, and the rapid and effective transfer of technology into and from NASA as well as other organizations participating in the U.S. civil space program. In this paper, the character and interrelationships of OACT programs and plans will be summarized, including overarching strategic planning (e.g. the Integrated Technology Plan, ITP); space technology development efforts (for example, the NASA base and focused space research and technology programs); special technology innovation efforts (such as the Small Business Innovative Research, SBIR, program); and, efforts to promote commercial space development (e.g. the Centers for Commercial Development of Space, CCDSs). Particular emphasis will be given to technology transfer programs and efforts to improve technology transfer (such as the on-going development of the national technology transfer network). This paper will describe both existing technology transfer programs and current planning, as well as assessment and analysis activities aimed at enabling OACT to refine and energize NASA\u27s approaches to technology transfer. It will also evaluate recent recommendations made by internal and external review teams and others concerning technology transfer for the civil space program. These include a 1992 workshop on Technology Transfer and the Civil Space Program, as well as the results of two internal NASA-wide teams. Finally, the paper will identify options for the future of civil space technology transfer improvements