State of Maryland, NASA Begin New Technology Transfer Partnership

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The state of Maryland and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., have embarked on a new partnership effort, the main goal of which is to attract high technology companies to Maryland, which in turn will enable both future missions of NASA and the economic future of Maryland.

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The agreement, signed by U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski, Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley and Goddard Space Flight Center Director Chris Scolese will help in several ways. Goddard will obtain specialized skills and technologies needed for its numerous mission applications. It will help the center engage in technical exchanges with local tech companies regarding new trends, theories, techniques and problems in aerospace technology. And finally, it will provide an opportunity for the development of local educational and labor resources specific to Goddard's needs.

"Innovative partnerships like this are helping NASA make the most of the agency's extraordinary expertise and the goals we share with industry to create good jobs and a bright future for our nation's space program," said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. "Goddard plays a critical role in our exploration of space and study of our home planet, and this new agreement with Gov. O'Malley and Sen. Mikulski will stimulate economic growth and technological breakthroughs that will help NASA reach farther into the solar system and beyond it."

O'Malley, describing the benefits of this agreement said, "Maryland is home to some of the most gifted minds in space and technology. This longstanding partnership between the state and Goddard—now formalized—is about creating family-supporting jobs and expanding opportunity for local businesses, building a stronger future for Maryland's innovation economy." 

‎"Technology transfer is essential to making sure that Maryland's economy thrives and succeeds," said Mikulski, chairwoman of the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Subcommittee that funds NASA. "As chairwoman, I'm looking out for the long-range needs of the nation, and I believe that science and innovation are the keys to what make our economy moving and our country great. But I've always got Maryland at heart, and I've always been on Goddard's side. With the knowledge of NASA and the know-how of Maryland's private sector we can bring innovation from the edges of the universe to the forefront of our local economy—creating jobs today and jobs tomorrow."

"Today's agreement between Maryland and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center is an important step toward expanding aerospace business and creating jobs in our state," said U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer. "Our aerospace assets are among the best in the world, and this new tech transfer effort will support NASA's critical mission while providing opportunities for businesses to expand technology, research and development, and advanced manufacturing in the region. I will continue to urge my colleagues in Congress to support these efforts by replacing the irrational sequester cuts policy and by passing Make It In America jobs legislation, which will help Maryland's aerospace businesses compete, grow, and create well-paying jobs."

For more information about NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, visit: www.nasa.gov/goddard

SOURCE NASA