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For space group, business is looking up

Alliance promotes NASA as potential for private sector

A traveling exhibit created by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center that simulates what it would be like to fly aboard a "spaceliner" in the year 2040 is just one reason why people plan to visit the new Inland Northwest Space Alliance facility next week.

By JANE RIDER of the Missoulian

The second is grounded more in seizing a potential business opportunity.

The private, nonprofit organization created to promote space interests within the geographical region of the inland Northwest, will host its first "NASA Procurement and Technology Transfer Conference" on Tuesday for small business owners.

The free conference is designed to assist small companies compete for government contracts with NASA and to learn more about new technologies developed by NASA or other federal laboratories that might help them in the private sector.

"NASA depends on the private sector for the greater part of its research needs," said Amy Jo Fisher, INSA’s special projects coordinator. "The NASA procurement program encourages the submission of unique and innovative proposals which will further the agency’s mission."

The "technology transfer" aspect of the conference aims to transfer knowledge, equipment, facilities or equipment developed by federal laboratories or agencies to the private sector to expand the U.S. technology base and maximize the return on federally funded research and development, said George Bailey, INSA director.

"The purpose is to help the private sector meet the challenges of the highly competitive global economic environment," Bailey said.

The all-day conference – scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, at INSA’s facility, 2925 N. Reserve St. – is open to the public. Fisher said INSA sent out letters to some businesses, but all are invited. She urged anyone who plans to attend to contact the facility in advance at 541-3130.

Bailey wants the public to realize that NASA now has a permanent presence here in Missoula through INSA which will provide follow-up assistance and support to companies.

The conference agenda includes a session with Bailey; Ned Penley, NASA International Space Station Payloads Office assignee to Montana; Gloyd Simmons, U.S. Air Force programs manager; Tracy Lamm, NASA government relations; and David Brock, NASA industry assistance officer.

After lunch, individual sessions will be planned with the morning speakers.

Meanwhile, the Starship 2040 trailer will be available to area schools that have reserved times with INSA, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., next Thursday and Friday.

Fisher said U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns’ office sent letters out to area schools and all available time slots filled up fast. "Passengers" scheduled for "flights" include about 300 seventh- and eighth-graders from Hellgate Elementary School, students from Big Sky High School and Valley Christian School, and two home-school groups from Missoula and the Bitterroot Valley.

Students from Victor, Florence, Seeley-Swan, Paradise, Stevensville, St. Ignatius and Darby are also on the itinerary.

"We can take 30 to 50 kids per hour," Fisher said. "This is an actual model of what an airliner would look like."

Teachers were urged to download instructional tips off the Starship2040.com Web site in advance to enhance their students’ learning experience.

Through Starship 2040 and its educational exhibits, NASA seeks to motivate children not only to dream of a future in space, but to pursue careers in math, science and engineering – the building blocks of America’s space program.

Reporter Jane Rider can be reached at 523-5298 or at [email protected]

http://missoulian.com/articles/2003/09/25/news/local/news03.txt

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