U.S. economic competitiveness and a high standard of living have roots in decades of investment in research and innovation. As a premier federal research and development agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has played a vital role in the nation’s innovation engine— continuing to extend its proud tradition of exploration and discovery. Cutting edge technology and innovation is more important today than ever before, as NASA develops missions of increasing complexity to understand the Earth, our solar system, and the universe. We spoke with Dr. Bobby Braun, Chief Technologist at NASA, who was a guest on The Business of Government Hour about NASA’s space technology program, its focus on research and development, forging disruptive innovation, and making a difference for the future.