Case Study: NASA achieves rapid, cost-saving solutions to seven critical challenges with Wazoku

NASA - Customer Case Study

NASA Johnson Space Center teamed with InnoCentive to pilot seven open-innovation Challenges addressing hard, high-value technology gaps—from a 30‑year problem forecasting solar events to food preservation, exercise systems, medical consumables tracking, microgravity laundry and sensor swarms. The program targeted problems that had resisted traditional approaches and sought fresh, diverse perspectives from outside NASA’s usual networks.

The pilot attracted over 2,900 Solvers from more than 80 countries and generated 221 submissions, with awards made for each Challenge. NASA reported measurable benefits including cost and resource savings, faster IP transfer, new collaborators, improved problem framing and a stronger innovation culture; the program also reduced legal and internal workload through InnoCentive’s client services and training.

NASA

Dan Fry

Scientist, Space Radiation Analysis Group