From: baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov (Ron Baalke)
Subject: NASA's New Commercialization Office (Forwarded)
Followup-To: sci.space
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.3-4   
Reply-To: baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1992 00:23:55 GMT

Bill Livingstone
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.              Nov. 10, 1992
(Phone:  202/453-1898)

RELEASE:  92-201

GOLDIN DESCRIBES NASA'S NEW COMMERCIALIZATION OFFICE

	NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin announced today
details about the purpose and operations of the newly created
Office of Advanced Concepts and Technology, declaring it will
pursue innovative ideas and high leverage technology that
both fulfill NASA's needs and have significant commercial
possibilities.

	"NASA can be a leading force for creativity, innovation
and boldness in American society just as it was during the
days of Apollo, when America reigned supreme in the world of
technology because we were on the cutting edge," he said in
an address to the Washington Space Business Roundtable.

	The new office will not be a simple "stapling together"
of previous commercial program and space technology
activities, but an "entirely new breed -- a highly flexible,
customer-driven organization," Goldin said.

	The NASA Administrator said the new office will have
four primary functions that will satisfy the currently unmet
needs of the industry, academic and NASA communities.

	First is a systems engineering team capable of judging
the feasibility and cost of highly innovative ideas.

	"Currently, there is no place in NASA where someone
with an advanced concept can go to get an idea properly
considered and evaluated.  Furthermore, in the rush to bend
metal, there usually is little consideration of operations or
life cycle costs," the NASA Administrator said.


Avoiding 'Hobby Shops" for Real Opportunity

	Such an advanced systems engineering function will help
bridge the gap between technology development and commercial
applications "so we avoid ending up with 'hobby shops' that
aren't aligned with customers' needs, while commercial
opportunities fall by the wayside."

	In its second major function, the office will be the
agency's "front door" for businesses that seek NASA expertise
in developing new ideas and technologies.  This "one-stop
shopping" center also will serve universities and even NASA
program offices, Goldin said.  Currently people with new
ideas often are shuffled from office to office.

	The third major function will be to transfer technology
into the commercial sector at a faster pace.

	"We will seek the input of the technology user
community to figure out the best mechanisms to transfer
technology, whether it's technical papers, NASA-generated
software, regional tech transfer centers, cooperative
research agreements or working in our labs and other
facilities," Goldin said.

	The office will welcome new ideas from any source, the
NASA chief said.

	"We want to abolish the 'not invented here' syndrome
which breeds insularity and fails to seize the good ideas
within and outside of NASA."


NASA Devoted to Creation of Commercial Space Sector

	The fourth function will be to stimulate commercial
space activity.  He distinguished between "privatization," in
which functions now performed by government for itself are
performed by private firms with the government as the
customer, and true space commerce in which products and
processes related to space are developed by commercial firms
and sold in commercial markets.

	"For everyone who's worried about the American economy
being stuck in a rut, it's vital that we remember the
tremendous power of technology to produce growth.  Remember
the tremendous push NASA gave the computer chip and software
sector," Goldin said.

	Goldin said that revolutionary space technologies "hold
the promise of astounding commercial application."  He listed
virtual reality, powerful lighter-weight plastics and
ceramics, microsensors, artificial intelligence and
integrated opto-electronics for controls and navigation.

	"Developing new technology is what drives this country
forward.  It raises our standard of living by creating the
new industries and new jobs of tomorrow.  I believe America
today is crying out for organizations like NASA to step up to
the challenge of developing cutting-edge, dual-use technology
that can both keep America pushing outward into space and put
Americans back to work," the NASA Administrator declared.

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    /_ /|  /____/ \  /_ /|     Ron Baalke         | baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov
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