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Investment in Open Innovation Service Providers: NASA's Innovative Strategy for Solving Space Exploration Challenges

In an effort to expand routes for open communication and create additional opportunities for public involvement with NASA, Open Innovation Service Provider (OISP) platforms have been incorporated as tools within NASA’s problem solving strategy. NASA engaged the services of two OISPs, InnoCentive and Yet2.com, to test this novel approach to problem solving and its feasibility for solving NASA’s spaceflight challenges. The OISPs were chosen based on multiple factors including: network size and knowledge area span, established process, methodology, experience base, and cost. InnoCentive and Yet2.com each met the desired criteria; however, each company’s approach to Open Innovation Services is distinctly different. InnoCentive focuses on posting individual challenges to an established web-based network of ~200,000 solvers; viable solutions are sought and granted a financial award if found. Based on a specific technological need, Yet2.com acts as a “technology scout” providing a broad external network of experts as potential collaborators for NASA. A relationship can be established with these contacts to develop technologies and/or maintained as an established network of future collaborators. The results from phase one of the pilot study have shown great promise for long-term efficacy of utilizing the OISP platforms. The challenges posted with the InnoCentive pilot have yielded 11awarded solutions out of the seven challenges posted. A total of 2 proposals were granted full award and 9 proposals were granted a partial award. The six technical needs posted for the Yet.com pilot have yielded a substantial number of contacts not previously identified by NASA and are of great interest as potential collaborators for solving our technology needs. The results from the current open innovation efforts have promoted public involvement, awareness of the United States space program, and created an environment where one person can make a substantial difference.