Keynote Address
Saturday, November 19, 2011

Liftoff!

In his wide-ranging keynote presentation, Howard McCurdy explored the role of technological innovation in the past, present, and future of space exploration from a variety of perspectives including history, technology, economics, public policy, and human culture. "The best models of innovation are nonlinear," he asserted, "Spending on one type of science may lead to unexpected discoveries affecting another." It takes more than funding, though, in McCurdy's view. He listed several factors in addition to access to capital that he believes are critical to successful innovation: clear sense of purpose; calculated risk taking; technical discretion; imagination; a culture of creative thinking; competition; teamwork and collaboration; entrepreneurial style; appropriate management; and receptive markets.

Howard McCurdy is a professor of public administration and policy at American University and an authority on space history and policy. His is the author of Space and the American Imagination.

Watch the video of McCurdy's complete talk »
Listen to a podcast interview with Howard McCurdy »

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