The Information Technology and Communications Division (ITCD) is launching NASA’s new Innovation Ecosystem (IE) to promote agency-wide technology innovation. Conducted in collaboration with all stakeholders and with an emphasis on meeting mission needs, the IE will result in a robust technology innovation pipeline for future NASA missions.

Innovation Ecosystem Components

The most tangible components of the Innovation Ecosystem are the physical showcase, named (In)novations, and the virtual showcase and collaboration platform found at innovate.nasa.gov.  Several supporting components—including strategic partnerships and a governance program—also enable the Innovation Ecosystem to encourage cross-cutting technology innovation.

We encourage you to take (in)itiative, share your (in)sights and expertise, and discover how engaging (in) the Innovation Ecosystem can help solve complex challenges and achieve NASA mission success. You can get (in)volved by:

(In)teracting with technology demonstrations at the (In)novations Technology Showcase
(coming soon)

Located at NASA HQ, this physical showcase will provide hands-on demonstrations of new technologies and innovations developed by NASA, the private sector, and the higher education community. (In)novations promotes innovation through in-person interaction and social collaboration with scientists, engineers, and innovators. The technologies are mapped to the approved NASA OCT Space Technology Roadmaps taxonomy. The demonstrations include science and technology advances that will be helpful in NASA space missions and mission-enabling IT innovations. And be sure to stay [in] the loop—a sneak preview of [In]novations will be featured in the NASA HQ Lobby in late Summer 2012.

(In)spiring innovation through collaboration and information sharing at innovate.nasa.gov

Regardless of where you work, you can engage in the Innovation Ecosystem initiative through the public collaboration and information sharing forum at innovate.nasa.gov. This open, web-based platform provides an online, relational space for identifying, discussing, and collaborating on technology innovations. This forum encourages continuous discussion between NASA employees, independent innovators, and industry and academic partners. The innovate.nasa.gov platform features a more extensive, virtual version of the (In)novations Technology Showcase.

Engaging (in) discussion with NASA’s (In)novation Partners

The Innovation Ecosystem is a platform for organizations—large and small—looking for consideration of their cutting-edge technology by key NASA stakeholders and the scientific community. The stakeholders that are external sources of innovation come from four major groups: the private sector/industry; the public sector/other government agencies; interest groups such as the National Academies of Science; and international partners and Research and Development programs/universities.

Brady Decker
HQ Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
202-358-2520