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Penguins in space: NASA picks open source for lunar mission
Matthew Aslett, December 13, 2007 @ 5:47 am ETPopular Mechanics is reporting that NASA has decided that the avionics software that will power the Ares I rocket to the moon will be based on open source software. NASA announced this week that Boeing will deliver and install the avionics systems for the Ares launch rocket that will send humans back to the moon by 2020 to set up a lunar outpost as part of the Constellation Program.
According to Popular Mechanics, Ares project manager Steve Cook noted that the specifications for the Ares I design are “open-source and non-proprietary” in order that other companies can bid on future contracts. The ability to avoid vendor lock-in is a significant argument in favor of the use of open source software for long-term projects, particularly for government agencies.
NASA is already a big supporter and user of open source software. More details about its existing open source projects can be found here and here.
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