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Technology Thresholds for Microgravity: Status and Prospects

NASA/TM-108526, Noever, D.A., Technology Thresholds for Microgravity: Status and Prospects, Space Sciences Laboratory, Science and Engineering Directorate. NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812, December 1996, pp. 48, Format(s): PDF 1468k

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The technological and economic thresholds for microgravity space research are estimated in materials science and biotechnology. In the 1990's, the improvement of materials processing has been identified as a national scientific priority, particularly for stimulating entrepreneurship. The substantial U.S. investment at stake in these critical technologies includes six broad categories: aerospace, transportation, health care, information, energy, and the environment. Microgravity space research addresses key technologies in each area. The viability of selected space-related industries is critically evaluated and a market share philosophy is developed, namely that incremental improvements in a large market's efficiency is a tangible reward from space-based research
Keywords:microgravity space research, materials processing, biotechnology, commercialization, entrepreneurship
CASI Document ID Number:97N13278
Subjects:Chemistry and Materials: Space Processing
ID Code:364
Deposited On:03 July 2002