Technology transfer at the world’s biggest industry tradefair

As the public and industry are often unaware, aerospace research has been responsible for a number of technological advances over the past few decades, including airbags, the ABS anti-lock braking system and navigation devices.

European industry is always in search of new technologies and processes, which it can apply to its own operations. With its propensity for innovation, the space industry represents a virtually inexhaustible source for this kind of technology transfer.

The HANNOVER MESSE 2008 (21 to 25 April) will be bringing together both parties — space and industry — in a competent and targeted manner. At the Research & Technology show in Hall 2, the SpaceTransfer08 event will function as an interdisciplinary platform for companies, which have already benefited from space technology transfer. The event includes a half-day conference featuring prominent entrepreneurs, researchers and astronauts, who will explain how successful technology transfer works.

Initiated by the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Technology Transfer Program Office (TTPO), the SpaceTransfer was conceived as a platform for more active promotion of technology transfer in Europe, as Frank M. Salzgeber, Head of ESA’s TTPO, explains: “European industry and the European aerospace sector are in different orbits and scarcely cross paths. This is simply because each of them has its own specialized exhibitions. The concept behind SpaceTransfer08 is to break through these barriers and bring a broad spectrum of industry together with the space industry.”

Representatives of industrial enterprises can get free advice from MST Aerospace staff members, a technology consulting firm specialising in high-tech and aerospace tech transfer since 1982. In this context, MST Aerospace is responsible for ESA’s European-wide brokering network.

But SpaceTransfer08 is also of potential appeal to companies which are interested in offering their own technology innovations to the space industry. “Technology transfer is not a one-way street,” explains Salzgeber, adding: “The space industry itself is constantly on the lookout for new processes and technologies.”

As the world’s leading technology exhibition, HANNOVER MESSE can make full use of its strengths in this regard: Its ten specialist trade fairs represent a broad spectrum of industrial sectors, drawing international trade visitors from a diverse array of user industries. As the Innovations Market for Research and Development, Hall 2 is the show’s key hub for technology transfer.

ESA's Technology Transfer Programme Office (TTPO)

The main mission of the ESA TTPO is to facilitate the use of space technology and space systems for non-space applications and to further demonstrate the benefit of the European space programme to European citizens. The TTPO is responsible for defining the overall approach and strategy for the transfer of space technologies including the incubation of start-up companies. For more information, please contact:

Technology Transfer Programme
European Space Agency - ESTEC
Keplerlaan 1, P.O. BOX 299, 2200 AG, Noordwijk
The Netherlands
Office: +31 (0) 71 565 3910
Fax: +31 (0) 71 565 6635
Email: ttp @ esa.int