The Von Braun Center for Science & Innovation (VCSI) is a nonprofit research and development organization based in Huntsville, Alabama and is named for pioneering aerospace engineer Wernher von Braun. VCSI is affiliated with NASA, United States Department of Defense and other federal government agencies.
The center facilitates transfer of intellectual property between government agencies and private companies, also known as "spinoff" technologies. The center has also coordinated university research and development efforts in the Gulf of Mexico on behalf of NOAA
VCSI is a contributor to the Rocket City Space Pioneers efforts towards the Google Lunar X Prize.
Members
Corporate
- Dynetics
- AZ Technology
- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)
- Alliant Techsystems
- Gray Research
- Lockheed Martin
- Polaris Sensor Technologies
- Sirote & Permutt
- Beason & Nalley
- Draper Laboratory
Government
- Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center
- NASA
- Missile Defense Agency
- Tennessee Valley Authority
University
- Alabama A&M University
- Auburn University
- Tuskegee University
- University of Alabama
- University of South Alabama
References
- NASA Center for AeroSpace Information (2010). Spinoff 2009 : innovative partnerships program. Washington, D.C.: NASA. ISBN 978-0-16-084191-0.
- United States House of Representatives (December 17, 2007). "Commerce, Justice, Science". Congressional Record (153 ed.). Washington DC: USGPO. p. 34720. ISBN 978-0-16-088754-3.
- Bonvillian, Crystal (January 31, 2012). "Alabama 4th-graders get chance to name Huntsville-based commercial spacecraft". The Huntsville Times. Retrieved 3 February 2012.