Charles Redmond
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                                                
August 27, 1993
(Phone:  202/358-1757)

Lisa Malone
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
(Phone:  407/867-2468)


RELEASE:  93-155

NASA, STATE OF FLORIDA, SIGN TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER ACCORD

   Kennedy Space Center Director Robert Crippen and Florida 
Governor Lawton Chiles have signed an agreement that will transfer 
benefits derived from the U.S. space program to the private sector 
and industries in Florida.

   Fulfilling a goal to transfer information and technology to the 
private sector is one of NASA's chartered responsibilities and 
consequentially, will benefit the general public and the national 
economy.  NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Fla., and the State 
of Florida have agreed to set aside $1 million each for the next 2 
years to implement projects under this agreement.

   "This agreement is believed to be directly on track with the 
Administration's new direction for technology development," 
Crippen said.  "It is in our nation's best interests to return our 
technological investment to our citizens.  I applaud the State of 
Florida for assisting industry in sharing this return on 
investment."

   Under the dual-use partnership, KSC will identify specific NASA 
technology that has potential commercial uses.  A goal is to bring 
an industrial partner onboard at the time the technology is being 
developed for a cost-sharing advantage.  The State of Florida, 
through the Titusville, Fla.-based Technological Research and 
Development Authority, will identify products and industries that 
are most likely to benefit from the technology and to provide 
resources and support for promoting the transfer.

   "This agreement serves as a pipeline that will carry advanced 
technology developed for our nation's aeronautics and space 
programs into the market place in the form of innovative, 
practical products," Gov. Chiles said.

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