Five Local Companies Selected to Receive NASA Assistance

EDC/NASA Technology Docking program attracts resources beyond Kennedy Space Center

Brevard County, Fla (June 30, 2016) – The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) announced that five local companies have been selected to partner with NASA subject matter experts. This partnership is the result of the EDC’s Technology Docking program first introduced in January 2015.

Technology Docking is a strategic alliance between the EDC and NASA’s national pilot program for Regional Economic Development (RED). The partnership provides small to medium-sized manufacturers and technology based companies the opportunity to work with NASA to solve a technology challenge.

Within the past sixteen months the Technology Docking program has connected 69 local companies with NASA’s resources at Kennedy Space Center. Today’s announcement not only affords Brevard companies the opportunity to utilize the agency’s brain trust at Cape Canaveral, but marks a significant milestone in the program with the participation of NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia.

“Langley’s involvement in Technology Docking supports the program’s mission toward advancing technology access throughout all NASA facilities,” stated Lynda Weatherman, president and CEO of the EDC of Florida’s Space Coast. “We are pleased to embrace Langley’s involvement and look forward to engaging other NASA centers as this program continues to grow.”

“The EDC has developed an innovative program to allow Florida business to tap into the capabilities and resources within NASA. It brought together NASA SMEs, not only from KSC, but also from NASA’s Langley research center to work with companies who are looking for technical assistance,” stated Rich Antcliff, program manager, NASA, Regional Economic Development at Langley Research Center.

After an in-depth analysis of their technology challenges; the following companies are beginning to work with a NASA subject matter expert.

Those companies are:
Alluvionic – Melbourne, FL
Engineering and consulting company offering a broad array of services including project management, process improvement CMMI, risk management, design, prototyping, product development and manufacturing.

GeNo, LLC – Cocoa, FL
Biopharmaceutical company focused on design, development and commerciality of next-generation drug products designed to deliver nitric oxide (NO) safely for a variety of therapeutic applications.

Helical Communication Technologies, Inc. – Rockledge, FL
Developer of state of the art, omnidirectional antennas for ground-based and space-based communication with satellites in low earth orbit and deep space.

Knight’s Armament, Co – Titusville, FL
Premier weapons manufacturer offering complete weapon systems, modular accessories and Knight Vision electro-optics for military, law enforcement, and commercial markets.

SeaDek Marine Products – Rockledge, FL
Industry leader in custom and stock non-skid deck padding delivering improved traction, comfort, protection, and noise reduction for commercial, sport, and recreational watercraft applications.

Matt Melhein, Project Supervisor for SeaDek Marine Products was impressed by his initial discussions with NASA. “Our company is focused on continually innovating, and having the ability to tap into a NASA expert has been incredible,” stated Melheim. “This insight has changed the way we are thinking about our technology challenge.”

To learn more about this program, visit the Technology Docking webpage at: www.spacecoastedc.org/TechDocking.

Photo Caption: Appearing in this photo from left to right: James Fesmire, NASA; Rob Ashley, NASA; Matt Melheim, SeaDek Marine Products; Mike Vinje, NASA; James Rebholz, SeaDek Marine Products; Elizabeth Valentine, Knight’s Armament Co.; Greg O’Neill, Helical Communication Technologies, Inc.; Windy Ancipink, NASA; Atahela Frandsen, NASA; Matthew Callaghan, Knight’s Armament Co.; Chip Moore, NASA; Lucas Gamero, GeNO, LLC; Luke Roberson, NASA; Wendy Romeu, Alluvionic, Inc.; Ricardo Romeu, Alluvionic, Inc.; Rich Antcliff, NASA; Vicki Northrup, Vicki Northrup Consulting; Ryan Denton, GeNO, LLC

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About the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast
The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) is dedicated to attracting new business and investment and expanding existing industry throughout the Space Coast, influencing change on government laws and regulations affecting economic development, promoting the Space Coast to encourage new investment, supporting efforts of Space Coast military installations, and relaying new programs and procedures to assist manufacturing and high tech companies. The EDC is a private, not-for-profit coalition whose stakeholders are business leaders committed to the economic growth and stability of Florida’s Space Coast. Visit www.SpaceCoastEDC.org.

About NASA/Kennedy Space Center
On July 29, 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed Public Law 85-568, creating the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, also known as NASA. In July 1962, the agency established its Launch Operations Center on Florida’s east coast and renamed it in late 1963 to honor the president who put America on the path to the moon. NASA’s john F. Kennedy Space Center has helped set the stage for America’s adventure in space for more than four decades. The center has served as the departure gate for every American manned mission and hundreds of advanced scientific spacecraft. From the early days of Project Mercury to the space shuttle and International Space Station, from the Hubble Space Telescope to the Mars Exploration Rovers and most recently the Exploration Flight Test of the Orion spacecraft, the center enjoys a rich heritage in its vital role as NASA’s processing and launch center. Kennedy is transitioning to become a world-class multi-user launch complex supporting both government and commercial customers. As the nation embarks on a new chapter in space exploration, Kennedy will continue to make history. For more information on NASA’s Kennedy Space Center visit: www.nasa.gov/kennedy