Hannover Messe 2008: Premiere for SpaceTransfer at HANNOVER MESSE 2008

Hannover Messe 2008: In 2008 the spotlight will be on the fields of industrial automation, energy technology and subcontracting, as well as on cutting-edge technologies. – World’s only international platform for aeronautics technology transfer to be staged in Hall 2 – Initiators at European Space Agency ESA planning annual appearance

The aeronautics sector is booming. New space programs and missions, including to Mars and the moon, demand a constant stream of new developments and cutting-edge technologies. As the public and industry are often unaware, aeronautics research has been responsible for a number of technological advances over the past few decades, including airbags, the ABS anti-lock braking system and navigation devices. European industry is always on the lookout for new technologies and processes which it can apply to its own operations. With its propensity for innovation, the aeronautics industry represents a virtually inexhaustible source. The magic word is “technology transfer”.

Now a completely redesigned forum at HANNOVER MESSE 2008 will be bringing together both parties — aeronautics and industry — in a competent and targeted manner. At the Research & Technology show in Hall 2, the SpaceTransfer08 event will function as an interdisciplinary platform for companies which have already benefited from aeronautical technology transfer. The event includes a half-day conference featuring prominent entrepreneurs, researchers and astronauts, who will explain how successful technology transfer works.

The initiator of SpaceTransfer08 is the European Space Agency (ESA), represented by its Technology Transfer Program office (TTP). ESA has developed a program for more active promotion of technology transfer in Europe. As Frank M. Salzgeber, head of the TTP office explains: “European industry and the European aeronautics and aerospace sector are in different orbits and scarcely cross paths. This is simply because each of them has its own specialized exhibitions. The concept behind SpaceTransfer is to break through these barriers and bring a broad spectrum of industry together with the aeronautics industry.
Representatives of industrial enterprises can get free advice from MST Aerospace staff members, a technology consulting firm specializing in high-tech and aeronautics tech transfer since 1982. In this context, MST Aerospace is responsible for ESA’s European-wide brokering network.

But SpaceTransfer is also of potential interest to companies which are interested in offering their own technology innovations to the aeronautics industry. “Technology transfer is not a one-way street,” explains Frank Salzgeber, adding: “The aeronautics industry itself is constantly on the lookout for new processes and technologies.” As the world’s leading technology exhibition, HANNOVER MESSE can make full use of its strengths in this regard: Its ten specialist trade fairs represent a broad spectrum of industrial sectors, drawing international trade visitors from a diverse array of user industries. As the Innovations Market for Research and Development, Hall 2 is the show’s key hub for technology transfer.
The German state of Lower Saxony is supporting the SpaceTransfer event through its recently established future and innovations foundation (“Stiftung Zukunfts- und Innovationsfonds Niedersachsen”). An additional sponsor is NORD/LB bank, whose NORD/LB Forum building at the exhibition center will also serve as the venue for the half-day conference.
Jürgen E. Aha, creator and project manager of the SpaceTransfer event, sums the situation up as follows: “Our appearance at HANNOVER MESSE closes a significant gap in the international trade fair market. But SpaceTransfer 2008 is just the beginning. We will be expanding our concept in the coming years to ensure that industry and aerospace profit more from one other. Which is we are providing this annual platform, starting with immediate effect.”