People all over the country use NASA technologies every day without even realizing it. From household products such as hair straighteners and temper foam mattresses to life-saving products such as baby formula and heart pumps, NASA’s innovations make measurable impacts here on Earth.
It takes an enormous amount of hard work, collaboration, and creative thinking to bring these technologies to the marketplace, and it happens through a process called technology transfer. Without it, federal and academic labs would not be able to share their innovations for public benefit.
The Strategic Partnerships Office (SPO) at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center helps facilitate and promote the transfer of Goddard technology to the private sector. SPO’s technology managers work with a wide breadth of professionals to accomplish this goal – from external scientists and engineers to attorneys and entrepreneurs, SPO staff members foster relationships in pursuit of agreements that benefit all involved.
Two other responsibilities fall under SPO’s umbrella: the SBIR/STTR program and partnerships.
NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs “fund the research, development, and demonstration of innovative technologies that fulfill NASA needs.” The competitive program provides seed funding to small businesses and research institution partners. Members of SPO’s SBIR/STTR team help manage solicitations and awards related to these research and development contracts.
Finally, SPO staff coordinate partnerships primarily through Space Act Agreements. These unique-to-NASA partnership opportunities allow Goddard and entities outside of NASA to team up on topics of mutual interest.
| Program | How SPO Works with Internal Inventors |
How SPO Works With External Partners |
|---|---|---|
| Technology Transfer |
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| SBIR/STTR |
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| Partnerships |
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