Crosscutting Technologies and the Mapping Applicable Technologies to Exploration Challenges (MATCH) Database

The Mapping Applicable Technologies to Exploration Challenges (MATCH) database is a software tool that maps technologies to NASA’s program needs. The tool helps NASA assess its technology portfolio, identify and address gaps, leverage external research, and justify budgetary decisions. The MATCH database consists of three primary data sets, the Exploration Technology Development Program (ETDP) data set, the NASA Requirements data set, and the External Government Technology data set. These data sets work together to highlight technology gaps (requirements lacking an associated development projects), identify potentially applicable external technologies, and to provide top-level analyses of NASA progress toward the lunar architecture. This paper provides an overview of the MATCH system, discusses the processes and procedures to integrate the three data sets into a single tool, and identifies lessons learned. It also profiles some promising crosscutting technologies identified by using the database. Finally, the paper addresses the next steps for the MATCH system, which is increasingly used to promote technology partnerships.