"I was just trying to think of an analogy… other workshops compared to yours is like the difference between individuals who climb mountains, and the US landing a man on the moon… the result of millions of people’s synergy. Yes, climbing mountains is hard work … but, walking on the moon was the result of phenomenal synergy… Many young people today think walking on the moon is a myth/urban legend, or don’t even know it happened. I certainly know of no one like you, who can build such synergy out of a disparate crew so quickly and confidently as you do." |
Evolving an Industry
InnovationLabs Has Been Working with the California Space Grant Foundation since 2003
Challenge: Develop a vision for a Global Earth Observation System that can work while allowing for the changing dynamics at NASA and the Airborne Science program.
Solution: A day-long collaborative process, in which a diverse group of participants examined the changing work environment of aerospace and NASA, discussed the envisioned Global Observation System, and brainstormed possible alternative business models that would enable Airborne Science to work effectively with the aerospace community to fulfill its vital mission, while playing its role in the development of the Global Observation System and atmospheric science.
Results: During the one day workshop participants designed a vision for the observation system and came up with a design for the most effective types of business relationships to make this system a reality.
Through our relationship with the California Space Grant Foundation we have a several year history working with groups throughout the Aerosapce Industry including NASA and other Aerospace enterprises. This work began in 2003 with an engagement with NASA Dryden. NASA Dryden wanted to convene a diverse group of scientists, engineers, and technologists to develop a first draft of a vision for an Global (Earth) Observation System (an International Coordinated Global Observation System).
Participants included members of the Airborne Science Directorate as well as representatives of various companies in the aircraft, UAV, instrument, services, and education sectors. Participating companies included Boeing, General Atomics, ZI Imaging, Intermap, The Aerospace Corporation, California Space Grant Foundation, and Scaled Composites.
Challenge: Form a coalition between NOAA, NASA and DOE to address the challenges of sub-orbital observations, and to address the potential role that Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based observing systems could have as an integrated piece of the global observing network.
Solution: A series of collaborative design workshops over several years.
Results: A broad collaborative between NASA, NOAA and the DOE was established to focus on civilian uses of unmanned aerospace systems. During the first few workshops participants developed a vision for this collaborative and a plan for the development of power, propulsion and measurement systems as part of a developmental roadmap for UAS.
Story: In 2004 InnovationLabs designed and facilitated several collaborative design sessions bringing together members of NASA, NOAA and the DoE to explore using UAVs (unmanned aerospace vehicles) for global climate change research. The first workshop in August 2004 focused on developing the science goals for using UAVs. The second workshop in December 2004 brought together a broader community to expand on those science goals as well as to begin looking at the existing technology gaps in current UAV technology.
In 2005 there were three additional workshops sponsored by NASA under the Civic UAV Capabilities Assessment project. The first, in April 2005 focused on sensor and instrumentation as well as power and propulsion needs for specific missions. The second workshop was focused on UAV uses for Homeland Security and the third, in July focused on UAVs for Land Management.
For more information contact Michael Kaufman.
