56 NASA Patents in Open Access

Fifty Six of NASA patents have been released for unrestricted public use.

NASA also made open its searchable database to systemise thousands of expired NASA patents already in public domain. These database will help people download the technologies.

This step is expected to benefit many private space technology companies like Bigelow Aerospace Space X, RedWorks whose findings are inspired by NASA researches that generate NASA Patents.

“By releasing this collection into the public domain, we are encouraging entrepreneurs to explore new ways to commercialize NASA technologies.” said Daniel Lockney, NASA’s Technology Transfer program executive.

The new database named NASA Patents Portfolio showcases technologies developed for 15 different areas like aeronautics, communication, electrical/electronics, environment, medicine and biotechnology, It and software, instrumentation, manufacturing, materials and coatings, mechanical and fluid systems, optics, power generation and storage, propulsion, robotics and sensors.

Earlier also NASA had permitted small businesses to use its expired patents for free but it's the first time the American space agency is allowing even the ordinary mass to access its collection of NASA patents.