The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a physical sciences laboratory and a non-regulatory agency of the United States Department of Commerce. Its mission is to promote innovation and industrial competitiveness. NIST’s activities are organized into laboratory programs that include nanoscale science and technology, engineering, information technology, neutron research, material measurement, and physical measurement.

History

NIST began as the Office of Standard Weights And Measuers, a part pdf the US Department of Treasury in 1821, but later became the National Bureau of Standards in 1901. The organization was renamed to NIST in 1988. As part of its mission, NIST has been able to work with the public and private sector to perform research that is then open to the public so everyone can research. This provides a benefit too many different areas of the economy such as Space, Cybersecurity, and much more.

Role In Space Industry

The role that NIST has in the space industry is one of performing new research, testing materials, and helping put on conferences. An example of the research that the organization does can be seen with their work relating to Fire Research In Space. Moreover, the Space Commerce Conference held in 2019 shows their effort to spur the space commerce industry. There is also the Space Commerce Department from the Commerce Department of the US Government that can help provide more information.

A great example of the research that NIST does that directly gets utilized and benefits the space community is their work surrounding atomic clocks, which has helped spur the development of new technologies. These new technologies are very beneficial in helping improve the deep space network. This can further be seen in the work NIST performing directly being utilized as part of the Deep Space Atomic Clock. Although NIST can be seen a beaurocratic division by some, there are many benefits for industry working with the organization to help further space research. There is a lot to be gained from the funding and research that the organization provides, which should increase as time goes forward. A great example of the research that NIST does that directly gets utilized and benefits the space community is their work surrounding atomic clocks, which has helped spur the development of new technologies. These new technologies are very beneficial in helping improve the deep space network. This can further be seen in the work NIST performing directly being utilized as part of the Deep Space Atomic Clock. Although NIST can be seen a bureaucratic division by some, there are many benefits for industry working with the organization to help further space research. There is a lot to be gained from the funding and research that the organization provides, which should increase as time goes forward.

References And Further Reading

http://nist.gov