Space technology's down-to-earth uses

Small companies urged to utilize NASA's innovations

NASA invented robot cables to help the joints in various space structures move more smoothly.

An Annapolis company used those same cables to make walkers for the disabled and elderly easier to move without lifting them off the ground.

Yesterday, NASA consultants from the Massachusetts-based Center for Technology Commercialization Inc. used the Annapolis company and several others to show some of Baltimore's entrepreneurs how they could transfer space technology to their small businesses.

"NASA has thousands of technologies," Richard Callahan, president of the center, told the business owners. "I could stand here until next month listing the technologies. You just have to learn how to access them."

The event was sponsored by the Empower Baltimore Management Corp., which, under a federal program, oversees the revitalization of several impoverished "zones" in Baltimore.

When the National Aeronautics and Space Administration was created in 1958, part of its mission was to figure out ways its technology could be used in the private sector. Since then, NASA has been licensing its inventions and establishing contracts with businesses to manufacture the products for nonaero- space uses.

Last year, about $1 billion of the agency's $14 billion budget went toward helping businesses access NASA technology.

Officials for the space agency, which collects royalties off many of the deals, say the partnerships make businesses more technologically competitive and creates jobs.

But many small businesses don't know how to win a NASA deal, said Morgan Allyn, Empower Baltimore's coordinator for business marketing and information services.

"My job is to get the information to you," Allyn told the crowd of business owners. "Then you have to figure out what to do with it."

In Maryland, the Maryland Technology Development Corp., or TEDCO, has a $350,000, five-year contract it established with NASA in April to help companies use NASA technology. TEDCO, which was formed by the state in 1998 to foster the growth of the technology and biotechnology industries, is still identifying companies that it can work with.

Dwight R. Hunsicker, chief operating officer of Baltimore-based WorldLinks Inc., a 6-year-old telecommunications and engineering firm, said his company is already working on procurement contracts with NASA. Yesterday's session also encouraged him to look at ways to implement NASA technology in his business as well.

"It sounds like you have to really be able to work through the process," Hunsicker said. "And just because you have a great technology doesn't mean you get a lot of business from it. You have to learn how to market it as well."

The NASA program, however, isn't for every company.

NASA officials say they look for stable businesses that can handle the complexities of high-tech production.

"The program is open to all small businesses, but not all small businesses are matches," said Phillip Singerman, president of TEDCO.

"Not all have technology needs. There are a relatively small number of businesses, when looking at the total, who are in the field and are a match with NASA."

LaMont F. Tufts Jr., owner of Baltimore-based Computer TechEaze Inc., a computer sales and networking business, said he didn't see how his business could participate in technology transfer, but he picked up some tips on federal contracting.

NASA also has Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs that offer grants for small companies to research technology to solve a NASA problem. The programs also help finance the commercialization of new technology that has been researched at institutions outside NASA.