NASA has recently agreed to partner up with the Colorado Association for Manufacturing on an effort they hope will accomplish two goals: speed up the commercial rollout of space technologies, and, more importantly in this down economy, create jobs. The two groups hope to create 10,000 jobs in Colorado over the next five years because of this agreement. As a benefit, the partnership should allow more rapid prototyping, meaning new technology products could hit the market much sooner than before ? 18 months, say, instead of five years.

Joining us now are two key figures in reaching this agreement: Lori Garver, NASA’s deputy administrator, and Elaine Thorndike, CEO of the Colorado Association for Manufacturing and Technology.