INTRODUCTION

Benjamin Neumann Program Director, Innovative Partnerships Program National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NASA’s commitment to advancing and sharing technology dates back to the very origin of the Agency. After the dawn of aviation emerged with the Wright brothers’ historic flight in 1903, Congress established the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics in 1915 “to supervise and direct the scientific study of the problems of flight, with a view to their solution.” When the committee was transformed into NASA by the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, it was tasked with sharing its vast body of scientific and technical knowledge to benefit mankind.

Today, NASA continues to fulfill the 1915 Congressional directive and 1958 Space Act by reaching milestones in space exploration through a variety of programs. The technical expertise gained from these programs has transferred into the U.S. economy and society via academia, industry, and other Federal agencies, ensuring America stays capable and competitive.

The Innovative Partnerships Program of NASA’s Exploration Systems Mission Directorate was established to guarantee the transfer of the Space Program’s technical advances. Brimming with examples of technologies that have led to significant improvements in quality of life, NASA’s technology transfer program has been the conduit for these achievements. The program excels by maintaining established relationships with commercial industries that include and extend beyond the aerospace sector.

Spinoff 2004 highlights the diverse benefits that have grown from NASA’s partnerships with U.S. companies. These products span the many disciplines of our society. Included among this year’s achievements are a natural, low-calorie sugar that is safe for diabetics and contact lenses that offer the benefits of a laser-corrective eye procedure without the need for surgery.

This issue also showcases some of the many research and development activities being conducted by NASA’s field centers. These activities continue to fuel the Agency’s missions, which collectively contribute to making the Vision for Space Exploration a reality. NASA is focusing on identifying common research interests with industry, enabling both parties to leverage their research and produce a technology that will help both the Agency and the private commercial venture. These dual-use joint ventures support the development of new exploration strategies, vehicles, and technologies, while continuing to bring space technologies back down to Earth.

With new goals in sight and partnerships in hand, NASA will continue to meet the challenges of the future.