[meteorite-list] Investing in Technology to Enable the Future: NASA Creates Space Technology Mission Directorate

[Ron Baalke]

Feb. 21, 2013

David E. Steitz 
Headquarters, Washington   
202-358-1730 
david.steitz at nasa.gov 

RELEASE: 13-058

INVESTING IN TECHNOLOGY TO ENABLE THE FUTURE: NASA CREATES SPACE TECHNOLOGY MISSION DIRECTORATE

WASHINGTON -- As part of the Obama Administration's recognition of the 
critical role that space technology and innovation will play in 
enabling both future space missions and bettering life here on Earth, 
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden has announced the creation of the 
Space Technology Mission Directorate. The directorate will be a 
catalyst for the creation of technologies and innovation needed to 
maintain NASA leadership in space while also benefiting America's 
economy. 

The Space Technology Mission Directorate will develop the 
cross-cutting, advanced and pioneering new technologies needed for 
NASA's current and future missions, many of which also benefit 
America's aerospace industries, other government agencies, and 
address national needs. NASA will focus leadership responsibility for 
the existing Space Technology Program in the mission directorate, 
improving communication, management and accountability of critical 
technology investment activities across the agency. 

"A robust technology development program is vital to reaching new 
heights in space -- and sending American astronauts to new 
destinations like an asteroid and Mars," NASA Administrator Charles 
Bolden said. "A top priority of NASA is to invest in cross-cutting, 
transformational technologies. We focus on collaboration with 
industry and academia that advances our nation's space exploration 
and science goals while maintaining America's competitive edge in the 
new innovation economy." 

Associate Administrator Michael Gazarik will head the organization. He 
previously served as the director of the Space Technology Program 
within the Office of the Chief Technologist. Serving as the Deputy 
Associate Administrator for Programs, James Reuther brings years of 
expertise in technology development, research and project management 
to oversee the nine programs within the mission directorate. Reuther 
previously served as deputy director of the Space Technology Program 
within the Office of the Chief Technologist. Dorothy Rasco, formerly 
the business manager of the Space Shuttle Program and the manager of 
the Space Shuttle Program Transition and Retirement, will join the 
directorate as the Deputy Associate Administrator for Management, 
assisting with the organizations strategic planning and management. 

The Space Technology Mission Directorate will employ a portfolio 
approach, spanning a range of discipline areas and technology 
readiness levels. Research and technology development will take place 
within NASA centers, in academia, and industry, and leverage 
collaboration with other government and international partners. 

NASA's Chief Technologist Mason Peck serves as the NASA 
administrator's principal advisor and advocate on matters concerning 
agencywide technology policy and programs. Peck's office will lead 
NASA's technology transfer and commercialization efforts, 
integrating, tracking, and coordinating all of NASA's technology 
investments across the agency. The Office of the Chief Technologist 
also will continue to develop strategic innovative partnerships, 
manage agency-level competitions and prize activities, as well as 
document and communicate the societal impacts of the agency's 
technology efforts. 

For more information about NASA's Space Technology Mission 
Directorate, visit: 

http://www.nasa.gov/spacetech 

-end-