NASA releases code that was used for major scientific discoveries

While travelling into space is still a dream for most of us, you can now access the code that has powered major scientific discoveries related to space exploration. NASA has initiated this development by releasing its latest online software catalogue of more than 1,000 code descriptions.

The third edition of the annual software catalogue provides access to codes based on general public releases, open source releases, US and foreign releases, and US governmentpurpose releases. There are categories such as business systems and project management, system testing, operations, design and integration tools, vehicle management, propulsion, crew and life support, and data and image processing.

“Software has been a critical component of each of NASA’s mission successes and scientific discoveries,” said Dan Lockney, NASA’s Technology Transfer programme executive, in a statement. “In fact, more than 30 per cent of all reported NASA innovations are software,” he added.

You can find the codes for some advanced drones and quieter aircraft models from the available software catalogue. While the code access is free, there are a variety of restrictions on some of the software solutions. You need to sign usage contracts with NASA or a government body to access most of the available codes. However, the open source material is provided through the online catalogue to support community efforts.

NASA started publishing its software catalogue online back in 2014. The prime aim is to broadly release code behind the space exploration and discoveries, to maximise the benefits to the world.