BOZEMAN, Mont. - Montana may soon become a stronger competitor in the U.S. aerospace industry thanks to a new partnership between NASA and the Montana Aerospace Development Authority (MADA), a two-year-old, non-profit corporation focused on growing the state’s aerospace industry.

"We recognized that if Montana was going to compete effectively in aerospace, then we were going to have to pool our resources," said Dave Micheletti, Vice President of Advanced Energy and Aerospace Programs at MSE Technology Applications, Inc., of Butte. "Through teaming, MADA members can pursue larger aerospace opportunities than they could individually." Micheletti helped to develop the concept for MADA and gained early support for its creation from the Montana Department of Commerce and Congressman Denny Rehberg, R-Mont. MADA’s founding members include Montana State University-Bozeman, the University of Montana-Missoula, and MSE.

Montana State University’s TechLink center joined MADA in 2002 and, drawing on its seven-year experience in establishing industry partnerships with NASA, developed a cooperative research and development agreement between NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), its associated National Space Science and Technology Center (NSSTC), and MADA. The agreement, which was recently signed, provides for joint technical projects of mutual value to NASA and Montana’s aerospace-related companies.

MADA’s member companies will benefit from the research partnership by gaining access to NASA scientific expertise, unique facilities, and R&D contracting opportunities. "We view this collaboration with NASA as an opportunity to help build Montana’s aerospace industry" said Will Swearingen, Executive Director of TechLink. "We have many highly capable companies in the state. This agreement will help reinforce their capabilities as well as increase NASA’s awareness of these resources."

NASA will gain something from the partnership, too. Montana’s entrepreneurial aerospace companies have notable research strengths that will complement the strengths of NSSTC and MSFC researchers, particularly in the areas of earth science, materials science, optics, and propulsion technology.

CONTACTS:

Will Swearingen
MSU TechLink
(406) 994-7704
wds@montana.edu

Dave Micheletti
Vice President, Advanced Energy and Aerospace Programs
MSE Technology Applications, Inc.
(406) 494-7289
daveam@mse-ta.com

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