NAS Software & Datasets
Software
The NAS Systems Division develops and adapts software programs to complement and enhance the work performed on its supercomputers, including software for systems support, monitoring systems, security, and scientific visualization. Some of this software can be downloaded for use on your own system.
Certain software packages are "restricted" - the software can only be used in the U.S. by the requestor and cannot be disclosed to third parties. Additionally, users agree to assist NASA in the development of the code by reporting problems encountered or any modifications made to the code. You must sign and return an agreement form before the download will be approved.
Further, some restricted software titles have been registered though Ames Research Center's Commercial Technology Office. These packages are distributed for "evaluation only" for a maximum of six months, after which the software and related material must be returned.
To get started, review the following:
Datasets
The datasets provided here are relatively small by today's standards, but provide examples of single and multi-zone overset meshes with associated scalar and vector fields, which may be useful for developing and testing geometric and visualization routines.
Some of them, such as the blunt fin ("the teapot of CFD visualization"), have been used in innumerable studies, and continue to serve as historical references. These datasets are available to the scientific community for research, study, and exploration, and can be duplicated and redistributed, as long as the principal investigators for the data are appropriately credited.
Open Source Software
Open Source for NASA means enhanced software quality through community review and development, enhanced collaboration through sharing of NASA-originated software, and more efficient and effective dissemination of research products (such as software) to the public.
As part of the effort to create an Open Source option, NASA formed a cross-agency legal team - this team created the NASA Open Source Agreement (NOSA) for Open Source releases.
NOSA is endorsed by the Open Source Initiative, and is the chief overseer of NASA's Open Source definitions and usage agreements.
Open Source Resources
The following is a list of relevant resources on NASA Open Source:
Developing An Open Source Option for NASA Software (PDF version 209KB)
This NAS technical report provides background material on why an Open Source option is appropriate for NASA.
NASA Space Act (NASA Charter)
The NASA charter: the agency shall "provide for the widest practicable and appropriate dissemination of information concerning its activities and the results thereof."
