CASIS and Texas Emerging Technology Fund Collaborate to Support Entrepreneurial Research on the International Space Station

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., July 17, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), the Texas Emerging Technology Fund (TETF), and the Governor's Office of Aerospace and Aviation today announced a collaboration in support of entrepreneurial ventures in Texas seeking to use the International Space Station (ISS) for development of innovative commercial projects capable of improving life on Earth.

Through this unique collaboration, CASIS will match TETF portfolio early-stage companies, public private consortia, and centers of excellence to maximize funding for projects that make use of the ISS U.S. National Laboratory, which is managed by CASIS. The Governor's Office of Aerospace and Aviation will assist in identifying potential companies for the project. The CASIS follow-on funding to TETF investments in various projects will attempt to assist in the creation of new businesses and jobs within the state of Texas, while diversifying the research portfolio onboard the ISS National Lab. It is expected that several millions of dollars in both CASIS and TETF awards will support Texas start-ups over time because of this collaboration.

"Today's announcement creates an exciting opportunity for Texas' entrepreneurs, engineers, and scientists," said CASIS President and Executive Director Gregory H. Johnson. "We are thrilled to be partnering with the Texas Emerging Technology Fund to help businesses throughout Texas bring about discoveries in various scientific disciplines that may include nanosciences, personalized medicine, technology development, and even remote sensing to better understand our planet. This collaboration will open the door to incredible research possibilities and build upon the rich space history in Texas, allowing businesses to take a leadership role in the emerging market of space commercialization."

"Texas continues to be a leader in innovative technologies that develop products to help improve the lives of Texans and others around the globe," Gov. Rick Perry said. "This collaboration between TETF and CASIS can further accelerate the benefits of marketplace solutions to real world problems facing our citizens, State, and Nation."

Through TETF and CASIS, several ventures within the fields of life sciences, healthcare, and energy are already under consideration for potential flight projects seeking to make use of this most unique laboratory environment.

This announcement continues a string of recent successes in which CASIS has brokered novel collaborations with funding organizations and/or companies to develop additional revenue streams capable of sending innovative research to the ISS National Lab.

The ISS provides a unique, one-of-a-kind microgravity environment for researchers to conduct investigations, for entrepreneurs to develop new business models, and for educators to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. To learn more about opportunities to utilize the ISS National Laboratory, please visit: http://www.iss-casis.org/Opportunities.aspx

About CASIS: The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) was selected by NASA in July 2011 to maximize use of the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory through 2020. CASIS is dedicated to supporting and accelerating innovations and new discoveries that will enhance the health and wellbeing of people and our planet. For more information, visit www.iss-casis.org.

About the Texas Emerging Technology Fund: The TETF is a $485 million fund created by the Texas Legislature in 2005 at the governor's request and reauthorized in 2007, 2009, 2011, and 2013. A 17-member advisory committee of high-tech leaders, entrepreneurs, and research experts reviews potential projects and recommends funding allocations to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house.

To date, the TETF has allocated more than $205 million in funds to 145 early stage companies, and nearly $220 million in grant matching and research superiority funds to Texas universities. Additionally, since the inception of the TETF, more than $2.2 billion in additional investment from other non-state sources has followed on to the TETF investment, more than quadrupling the amount invested by the TETF. For more information, visit http://governor.state.tx.us/ecodev/etf/

About the Governor's Office of Aerospace and Aviation: Aerospace and Aviation encourages economic development in Texas by fostering the growth and development of aerospace and aviation industries in Texas. The industry produces over 153,000 jobs at over 1,300 firms. The office works with NASA and the many companies that support Johnson Space Center and is working with new commercial space companies that are expanding into the state.

About the ISS National Laboratory: In 2005, Congress designated the U.S. portion of the International Space Station as the nation's newest national laboratory to maximize its use for improving life on Earth, promoting collaboration among diverse users, and advancing STEM education. This unique laboratory environment is available for use by other U.S. government agencies and by academic and private institutions, providing access to the permanent microgravity setting, vantage point in low Earth orbit, and varied environments of space.

Media Contact:
Patrick O'Neill
(321) 480-1054
[email protected]

SOURCE Center for the Advancement of Science in Space