Centennial Challenges Program Overview: How NASA Successfully Involves the General Public in the Solving of Current Technology Gaps

摘要

The Centennial Challenges (CC) program, part of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), bridges the innovation gap between NASA and the Nation by catalyzing sources of innovation inside and outside of the traditional aerospace community. As part of an effort to address the sources outside of the traditional aerospace community, NASA began exploring the use of challenge competitions as early as 2003 and in 2005, with the incentive of congressionally authorized prize purses the first challenge competition under the CC program was announced to the public. This creative approach to addressing NASA's key technology needs was founded upon the principle that engaging the public at large was a very important part of garnering the true magnitude of grass roots American innovation and ingenuity. The purpose of this paper is to provide information about the CC program—one example of NASA's continuing commitment to technological advancement and innovation through non-traditional programs. Specifics about the program will be discussed, including communication strategies, past challenges, and current challenge development and execution. This program exemplifies the values that have formed the bedrock of the culture at NASA since the beginning: innovation, imagination, and a passion for exploration. The challenges created leverage for competition-derived technological advancement, while simultaneously enabling contestants to expand their business models and customer base. The Centennial Challenges program is dedicated to encouraging innovation and imagination through its organic approach to utilizing the great talents this nation has to offer, while also capturing the public imagination, engaging communities, and attracting media attention to these endeavors.