Bob Lessels/June Malone
Marshall Space Flight Center
Huntsville, AL 35812
(205) 544-0034

Release No.: 95-55

KENTUCKY, NASA SIGN TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER ACCORD

Kentucky Gov. Brereton Jones and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center Director Porter Bridwell signed a memorandum of understanding today to facilitate the transfer of Federal technologies to businesses, educational institutions and individuals in Kentucky.

Under the terms of the accord, the Marshall Center in Huntsville, Ala., will work with the State's Cabinet for Economic Development, through the University of Kentucky at Lexington, to promote the transfer of aerospace technologies developed by NASA and its contractors to the state. NASA also will assist Kentucky in accessing the resources of the entire 752-member Federal laboratory system.

"Industries, to remain competitive at home and in the world marketplace, must seek out and exploit the latest technologies. Having access to NASA's technological assets will significantly benefit Kentucky businesses and industries," said Governor Jones. "Teaming with NASA will facilitate the Cabinet for Economic Development in helping Kentucky's businesses and industries be more competitive, thus improving the economy of the commonwealth."

"We are looking forward to working with businesses, schools, and local governments in Kentucky. Opportunities such as this benefit everyone concerned. Kentucky will be able to directly access a vast treasure house of technological expertise," said Bridwell.

Kentucky has already begun to receive NASA technological assistance through NASA’s industrial outreach programs. A survey covering January 1993 to December 1994 shows NASA's technology transfer actions in Kentucky were valued at more than $1.5 million and saved or created about 130 jobs. All of the firms which contacted Marshall reported the assistance was of value and that they would seek NASA assistance in the future.

Rip Nabors, a NASA engineer and representative of Marshall's Technology Transfer Office, will be the principal contact for NASA technical assistance in Kentucky. Marshall has similar accords with eight other states in the southeastern U.S. Marshall, along with the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, and the Southeast Regional Technology Transfer Center recently formed a Southeast Alliance to pool NASA technology resources to make assistance more accessible in the region.

Under the terms of the accord, NASA -- through the Marshall Center -- will sponsor workshops and symposiums throughout Kentucky. Representatives of the space agency will visit businesses and industries to discuss problems and, whenever possible, recommend solutions. NASA engineers and scientists may recommend appropriate available technologies or they may help to design tailored solutions. Additionally, there will be opportunities for in-depth joint technology development efforts through separate agreements between NASA and individual firms.

While many major industries, universities and private individuals have benefited from NASA technology transfer, studies show that those benefiting most have been small businesses with $1 million to $5 million in annual sales, 50 or fewer employees, and which have been in business 10 years or less -- essentially firms which have not yet reached the level of having their own research and development branches, but are looking to improve or expand their product line.

"The memorandums of understanding between Marshall and the states in the southeastern United States are bridges over which flow Federal technologies to benefit those who have paid for their development -- the taxpayers," said Bridwell. "America is a leader in the global marketplace. Developing and using state-of-the-art, leading-edge technologies greatly strengthens our nation’s position as a world economic leader. Our technology transfer efforts have benefited governments, businesses, schools and individuals in 37 states," he said.

The accord also will benefit Kentucky educators. Various NASA programs exist to help them stay informed of the latest developments in science, engineering and mathematics. NASA’s Spacelink system, for example, provides educators in all fields with a means of accessing current information, lesson plans and instructional materials.

For information on NASA's Technology Transfer Program, interested individuals or organizations may contact the Marshall Center Technology Transfer Office at 1-800-USA-NASA or on the Internet at: http://techtran.msfc.nasa.gov