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NASA Just Released 56 Patented Technologies Into Public Domain

May 10, 2016 | Johannes Van Zijl

NASA space suits
Photo credit: NASA

The move could help the aerospace industry grow in leaps and bounds!

NASA announced the release of 56 formerly patented technologies into the public domain, allowing for unrestricted commercial use of their technologies. One of the recently released patents is a method of manufacturing carbon nanotubes, which could be twenty times cheaper than current manufacturing techniques, according to The Independent.

SEE ALSO: NASA Is Giving Away Retro Space Travel Posters for Free

The list also includes a patent for of a tougher type of aerogel, a very efficient rocket engine, and a ‘Smart’ nozzle for turbine engines, which has the potential to drastically improve the engines of commercial aircrafts and aviation in general.

The American aerospace manufacturer, SpaceX, also stands to benefit from the newly released public patents. Their ambitious founder, Elon Musk, has numerous plans for space travel. Some of his claims state that his company, SpaceX, will send a spacecraft to Mars as early as 2018.

SpaceX already has strong ties with NASA by taking on contracts to deliver supply cargo to the International Space Station. Now, they could also benefit from the advanced technological patents released by NASA, which might help them meet their lofty goals.

“By making these technologies available in the public domain, we are helping foster a new era of entrepreneurship that will again place America at the forefront of high-tech manufacturing and economic competitiveness,” said Daniel Lockney, NASA’s Technology Transfer Program executive, in a media release.

“By releasing this collection into the public domain, we are encouraging entrepreneurs to explore new ways to commercialize NASA technologies.”

Alongside the latest released NASA patents, a searchable database is already available with thousands of older patents already in the public domain. You can visit the database directly at this link, or learn more about NASA’s Technology Transfer Program here.

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