Technology transfer in the space sector: an international perspective.

Abstract

The following articles represent extremely interesting examples of how four different nations1 have attempted to augment the returns on their investments in space missions through government programs to encourage commercial uses of advanced technologies. Each entity’s approach to the problem recognizes the vast potential of space technology and each approach clearly reflects the way the space sector developed in that nation and the unique cultural, economic, and social situation within. The article on the European space sector is the most comprehensive, tracking the results of studies on technology transfer since the late 1970’s and summarizing more recent trends as the European space programs have evolved from infant industries into fully mature and capable space enterprises. The Canadian article emphasizes the perspective of a relatively small nation (in terms of gross domestic product) with a space program fine-tuned to a very selective set of technologies, industries, and capabilities. These reflect both the industrial expertise of Canada as well as the practical needs of a nation with a sparsely populated large land mass. The Russian article emphasizes the dramatic changes resulting from the collapse of the enormously well funded and successful Soviet space program. Russia today, with a vast portfolio of human and physical space capital, is trying to develop a technology transfer program under conditions of market insecurity, insufficient funding, and the lack of a welldeveloped legal and market-oriented economic