NASA Space Technology Industry Forum

NASA's OCT (Office of the Chief Technologist) will hold a space technology meeting this Tuesday and Wednesday to go over NASA's new general Space Technology research, development, and demonstration program. The technologies covered by this program are intended to be broadly applicable, as opposed to the new exploration-specific Flagship Technology Demonstrations, Enabling Technology Development and Demonstrations, or Heavy Lift and Propulsion Technology (all PDFs) efforts, or the existing technology efforts associated with areas like Science. From the meeting link:

The first day will also feature the announcement of three new Centennial Challenges prize competitions. There will be a Q&A session with the news media on July 13 at 10:30 a.m. to discuss the importance of innovation and technology to NASA’s future exploration plans, the planning status of NASA’s new Space Technology Programs, and the three new Centennial Challenges.

The Forum Agenda shows that Andy Petro will announce the new Centennial Challenges. There will also be a discussion of Centennial Challenges from 9:30 to 11:00 on Wedneday, July 14.

Other topics on the agenda include:

• Technology Demonstration Missions
• Flight Opportunities
• Franklin Small Satellite Subsystem Technology
• Edison Small Satellite Missions
• NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC)
• Space Technology Research Grants
• SBIR/STTR
• Game Changing Development
• Partnership, Innovation & Commercial Space

Here's a presentation that explains NASA's Space Technology program (PDF) in the context of NASA's overall efforts, including exploration. NASA's FY2011 budget proposal also includes details in its Space Technology section (PDF). The forum will undoubtably provide many more interesting details.