NASA makes available annual software catalogs for free

NASA logo. File photo

Continuing its mission to provide the public with limitless knowledge through multiple space programs, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is making its annual software catalog downloadable to anyone.

For the third straight year, NASA’s Technology Transfer Program is giving away 15 valuable science catalogs for free.

“Software has been a critical component of each of NASA’s mission successes and scientific discoveries. In fact, more than 30 percent of all reported NASA innovations are software,” Dan Lockney, NASA’s Technology Transfer program executive said in a Huffington Post report.

“We’re pleased to transfer these tools to other sectors and excited at the prospect of seeing them implemented in new and creative ways,” he added.

The downloads, which are available on its software website, cover a wide array of interesting topics ranging from Design and Integration to Climate Simulators.

Other topics, which are impracticable to the general public—including rocket science and propulsion—are available as well in the form of educational clip.

To avoid being overwhelmed with the wide array of choices, NASA even compiled a list of the top 20 most requested titles.

Meanwhile, Steve Jurczyk, associate administrator for NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), explained the importance of having access to these catalogs.

“The software catalog is our way of supporting the innovation economy by granting access to tools used by today’s top aerospace professionals to entrepreneurs, small businesses, academia and industry,” he said.

“Access to these software codes has the potential to generate tangible benefits that create American jobs, earn revenue and save lives,” he added.

Interested individuals are required to create an account to access the space agency’s contents. Some of the catalogs, however, are subject to various levels of access restrictions, while others are available through easy-to-download  open-source links.  Khristian Ibarrola /ra