US economy to benefit from NASA investment in 3D-printable superalloy

[Admin]

"Adoption of this alloy will lead to more sustainable aviation and space exploration."

US economy to benefit from NASA investment in 3D-printable superalloy : Read more

 

[JAS]

The article says nothings about these exclusive license agreements costing the companies involved any fees.
Why should a select few receive the free largess of public investment? Why should NASA not be required to license the alloy's formula for a market-sensitive license fee to any US takers? After all, it's the US public footing the bill, and it's the commercial world that would reap the direct benefits, not individual tax-payers.
In the early days of aviation, NASA's predecessor, did the pure research to solve many of the then outstanding theoretical unknowns regarding the physics of flight, and made that knowledge freely available when a commercial aviation sector barely existed. However, now we do have an existing and well-established aviation and aerospace sector, and there’s no reason why they can’t afford a valuable product such as this that is the result of applied research, not pure research. There’s no reason to give it away for free.
Some NASA officials need to be removed from their ivory tower with a well-aimed kick to the fundament.

 

[billslugg]

Any organization can license any NASA technology. They can get an exclusive license, partially exclusive, or non-exclusive. All transfers involve fees and royalties. Each one is individually negotiated.

NASA Technology Transfer Portal Home

technology.nasa.gov