27-10-2012, 01:58 PM
Spinoff
ABSTRACT
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 NASAs 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.