NASA Ames Research Center and NASA Research Park in Silicon Valley
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
National Aeronautics and Space Administration ECONOMIC BENEFITS STUDY NASA Ames Research Center and NASA Research Park in Silicon Valley March 2010 This page intentionally left blank Table of Contents NASA Ames Research Center and NASA Research Park in Silicon Valley: Economic Benefits Study Table of Contents Executive Summary Part IV: Ames + NRP Drive Regional Economic Development Part I: Introduction Ames Research Center Powers Regional Economic Development.............85 Approach ........................................................................................................2 Secure Federal Airfield Supports Medical and Disaster Response..............87 Study Organization.........................................................................................3 NASA Brand Enhances Regional Economic Development ..........................91 Part II: Ames Stimulates the Economy Spotlights Overview of Ames Research Center .............................................................7 NASA Astrobiology Institute .........................................................................14 NASA Ames Location .....................................................................................8 NASA Lunar Science Institute ......................................................................15 Leading-Edge Research Stimulates Science and Technology .....................10 Google, Inc.: Turning Data and Technology into Commercial Products .......24 Patents and Licenses Spark Innovation .......................................................16 OMEGA: Algae Bioreactor as a Sustainable Energy Source .......................29 Business Development Activity Supported by NASA Ames .........................20 NASA Ames Wind Tunnel: Testing Truck Fuel Efficiency .............................30 Small Business Development ......................................................................21 Intrinsyx Technologies: Award Winning Support to Constellation ................58 Innovative Partnership and Seed Fund Programs Spur Collaboration ........22 CREST: Launching GeneSat-1 to Explore How Space Affects Life ............59 Space Portal Fosters Commercialization of Space and Entrepreneurship ..25 Unimodal: Personal Rapid Transit................................................................60 Green Space Initiative Expands Green and Clean Technology ..................28 Green Trails & INET: “Civilization in a Box” .................................................61 STEM Education Develops a Workforce for the Innovation Economy .........34 KleenSpeed Technologies Inc.: Scalable Electric Propulsion Systems .......62 Specialized Research Facilities Create a Portfolio of National Assets.........37 Bloom Energy Corporation: Breakthrough Fuel Cell Technology ................63 Measuring the Economic Benefits of Ames..................................................38 The Collaborative for Higher Education: Addressing STEM Education ......64 Budget and Expenditures .............................................................................39 United Negro College Fund Special Programs Corporation ........................70 Employment and Economic Stimulus...........................................................47 Kentucky Space: Developed by NRP Partner KSTC ...................................71 Ecliptic Enterprises Corporation: Shooting the Moon...................................72 Part III: NASA Research Park Delivers Results UAV Collaborative: Using Drones to Aid Rescuers .....................................89 Airship Earth and Magenn Power ................................................................90 NRP Collaboration Strengthens Key Partnerships .......................................52 Airship Ventures: Promotes Regional Tourism .............................................92 NRP Partnerships ........................................................................................53 NRP Delivers Tangible Programmatic and Financial Benefits ....................57 NRP Attracts World Class Universities .........................................................65 University Associates to Promote Green and Clean Technology .................73 Awards and Honors Recognize NRP Contributions .....................................74 Community Outreach Programs Promote Sustainability and Space Exploration ...................................................................................................75 Measuring the Economic Benefits of NRP ...................................................78 Employment and Economic Stimulus of NRP From Construction ...............79 NRP Construction Multiplier Effect ...............................................................80 Employment and Economic Stimulus of NRP at Full Operation ..................81 This page intentionally left blank EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Executive Summary NASA Ames / Silicon Valley: Benefits of Exploring Space and Our Planet i Executive Summary NASA Ames Research Center stands in a unique and unprecedented position to provide the technologies and expertise that enable NASA missions and address the great challenges facing our nation and planet: economic growth and future “Today, we must continue to cultivate prosperity; scientific discovery and innovation; environmental degradation and climate change; and educating and inspiring our youth. new astronauts, scientists, robot designers, and computer engineers… if For over seventy years, NASA Ames’ visionary leaders have promoted a unique organizational culture characterized by a willingness to try new ideas and explore we are to remain competitive and retain the frontiers of science. NASA Ames is a critical part of Silicon Valley’s world- our role as the technological leaders of renowned innovation ecosystem, actively participating in the valley’s technological the world.” and scientific evolution. The ongoing development of NASA Research Park, a major Ames initiative, has Charles Bolden, NASA Administrator produced a collaborative community of government, industry, and academic leaders who are delivering innovation, powering economic growth, and advancing science, technology, engineering and math education. NASA Ames currently generates $1.3 billion in annual economic output, supporting over 8,400 jobs nationally, with 70% of these jobs remaining in California and more than 5,300 jobs and $877 million in annual economic output in the San Francisco Bay Area alone. NASA Research Park is a major success story with 70 on-site partners occupying approximately 675,000 square feet of building space. Upon full build-out over the next fifteen years, NASA Research Park will have a major economic impact, generating an additional 33,800 jobs nationally and $5.8 billion in annual economic output. California stands to gain over 23,600 new permanent jobs, with the vast majority (21,300) in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Center’s current activities, along with NASA Research Park, represent an extraordinary economic force, with the potential to deliver up to 42,200 jobs nationally, supported by $7.1 billion in total annual economic output. ii NASA Ames / Silicon Valley: Benefits of Exploring Space and Our Planet Executive Summary “NASA Ames has a 70-year record of path-breaking NASA Ames Stimulates the Economy endeavors and a great location here in Silicon NASA Ames Profile Valley. Looking forward, Ames is committed to NASA Ames is one of America’s premier research labs—a unique national asset of unquantifiable value. From small spacecraft to revitalizing America’s space exploration programs supercomputers, science missions and payloads to thermal protection through scientific and technological innovation, systems, information technology to aerospace, NASA Ames provides partnerships with private industry and academia, products, technologies and services that enable NASA missions and expand human knowledge. and recruiting top talent to NASA.” NASA Ames plays a critical role in virtually all NASA missions in Simon P. (Pete) Worden, Ph.D. Director, NASA Ames Research Center support of America’s space and aeronautics programs. NASA Ames enables space exploration through interdisciplinary scientific research and innovative technology development. While pursuing its missions, NASA Ames generates significant The Center provides leadership within NASA in the economic benefits, summarized in the following sections. following fields: Astrobiology Supercomputing Atmospheric, biospheric, Entry, descent and and airborne sciences landing, particularly Ames also plays a key role in the Silicon Valley advanced thermal economy, specifically by: Intelligent/adaptive protection systems systems Investing in research Generating and Small satellites and Airspace systems and development transferring scientific and related technologies technological knowledge Robotics Life sciences Promoting innovation Facilitating commercialization of Prognostics health Information space management technology Advancing research Supporting STEM Earth sciences in green and clean education and workforce technologies development Executive Summary NASA Ames / Silicon Valley: Benefits of Exploring Space and Our Planet iii How NASA Ames Stimulates the Economy With an overall budget of $751 million in Fiscal Year 2008, NASA Ames employed approximately 1,300 civil servants and 1,200 contractor employees. NASA Ames’ spending is mainly within California. Of the Center’s total budget, approximately $552 million translates into direct economic activity, while the remainder are