1. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Information Technology
Reuse of Software by
Programs and Projects
presented at
NASA PM Challenge Conference
February 9 - 1 0 , 2 0 0 9
Alfred T. Mecum
Technology Manager,
Innovative Partnerships Program (IPP) Office
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Used http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov
with Permission

2. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NASA’s Innovative
Partnerships Program
Matching Technology Needs
with Technology Capabilities
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NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

3. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
The IPP Role
• Office at all 10 NASA Centers
• Facilitator
– Bring parties together (inside and outside)
– Bridge communication gaps
• Catalyst
– Implement new things = Change agent
– Create new partnerships
– Demonstrate new approaches and methods
The IPP Approach
• Identify ways to add value to Agency priorities and objectives
• Win-Win-Win
– NASA
– Our partners
– Taxpayer (i.e., public good)
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NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

4. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Dynamic Innovation Process
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NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

5. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
IPP Program Elements
Technology Innovation Partnership
Infusion Incubator Development
– SBIR/STTR – Centennial – Intellectual
– Seed Fund Challenges Property
– FAST Management
– Innovation – Technology
Transfusion Transfer
– New Business – New Innovative
Models Partnerships
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NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

6. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
What is Software?
Software as defined in NPD 2820.1C, NASA Software
Policy, means computer programs, procedures, rules
and associated documentation and data pertaining to
the development and operation of a computer system.
Software also includes COTS, GOTS, MOTS,
embedded software, reuse, heritage, legacy, auto
generated code, firmware, and open source software
components. Executables, source code, and object
code.
NPR 2210.1, External Release of NASA Software,
excludes computer databases and software
documentation as software.
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NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

7. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Why Is Software So Valuable?
Core for one system, yet applicable to others
Applicable across missions with minimal
additional development or modifications –
sharing prevents “reinventing the wheel”
Flexible Applicable in other areas: medical,
transportation, electronics, robotics,
manufacturing, etc.
Royalty revenue
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NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

8. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Example’s of Where Software
is Being Used within NASA
• Flight projects
– Satellite command and control systems
– Science instruments
• Ground operations support
– Health and safety monitoring
• Science Data management
• Infrastructure Support (timecards, record keeping, etc.)
• Educational Outreach
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NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

9. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
How much software
is developed at
NASA?
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NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

10. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
FY09 Agency Reported
Software
346
350
300
257
250 Software NTRs
200 NTRs
158 160
142 143
150 130 127
97
100 69 69
50 35 30 35
21 14 22
6 13 9
0
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NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

11. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
GSFC Reported Software
300
257
Software NTRs
250
220
NTRs
200 182
150
97
100
69
48
50
0
FY07 FY08 FY09
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NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

12. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
As a Software
Inventor/Author…
• You should document new technology developed
– Keep notebooks to prove inventorship
– Remember that software is intellectual property (IP)
– Report via eNTRe (http://entre.nasa.gov)
• You are responsible for protecting software IP from
improper use
– Always ensure that the appropriate agreement is in
place before disseminating and sharing it.
– When in doubt, contact the SRA
You should fully understand the implications
of releasing your software
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NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

13. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Why File a Software NTR
• It’s required (prior to publishing or presenting)
• IPP must determine whether to pursue active tech
transfer
• Patent counsel must determine ownership and file
patent application
– Filing a patent application protects NASA’s rights to
the invention
• Failure to file before disclosing
(publishing/presenting)
– Prevents the ability to secure foreign patents
– Starts 1-year clock (“stat bar”) for filing for
U.S. patent
• NTR needed for award eligibility
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NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

14. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Applicable NASA Requirements
for Software
• Inventions Made By Government Employees, NPD 2091.1B
• NASA Software Policy, NPD 2820.1C
• External Software Release, NPR 2210.1A
• NASA Software Engineering Requirements, NPR 7150.2A
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NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

15. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Report Software Invention
• New Technology Report (NTR) – NF1679
• Reporting the development of new technologies or innovations (including
software) to NASA
• Required of NASA civil servants
• Required in most NASA contracts since 1966
• §305 of 42 USC 2457 (Space Act)
• Large- business contractors
• For- profit organizations
– FAR clause 52.227-11 as modified by NASA FAR Supplement clause 1852.227-11
• Small business contractors
• Non- profit
• Colleges and universities
• NASA Policy Directive 2091.B [Each employee who makes an invention [whether or
not the invention was made during working hours, was made with a contribution of
Government resources (facilities, equipment, materials, funds, or information, or of the time
or services of other Government employees on official duty), or bears a direct relationship to,
or is made as a consequence of, the official duties of the employee] is required to submit to
the Office of the General Counsel, or to the delegated Center Patent or Intellectual Property
Counsel, a disclosure of such invention. Such disclosure should be made through the NASA
electronic New TECHNOLOGY REPORTING (eNTRe) system available at
http://invention.nasa.gov/.
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NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

16. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Tools: How Do I File an NTR?
•Online eNTRe system (http://entre.nasa.gov)
First-time users
must create an
account
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NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

17. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
eNTRe: Software-Specific Info
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NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

18. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Software Release Process-
NPR 2210.1A
A process employed at NASA Centers
Collecting Assessing Determining proper
information on software for intra- release category
newly developed agency and
software commercial
innovations potential
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NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

19. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Release Categories
• U.S. government purpose release
– Project release - company's under government contract
– NASA release
– Interagency release – Airforce, NRO, NOAA, etc.
• General U.S. release only
– Release of software for U.S. use only
• U.S. and foreign release
– Software that has special benefits (health, safety, economics)
– Usual level sought for licensing purposes
• Open source release
– Newest release category
– http://opensource.gsfc.nasa.gov/
• General public release
– Broadest range of release
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NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

20. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Release Category Determined
• Various reviews/assessments
– Technology Transfer (IPP Office)
– Patent Counsel
– Export Control
– IT Security
– Directorate Representative
• Approval rests with Software Release Authority (SRA)
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NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

21. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Software Release Process:
IPP Office
Evaluates current and
potential use of the Recommends category
software – users, licensees, of release
or other partners within and
outside NASA
If software has external potential …
Determines
appropriate Develops and
Assists in
vehicles for implements
establishing IP
collaborative/ dissemination/
protection
licensing marketing plan
agreements
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NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

22. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Software Usage Agreement
(SUA)
• SRA processes SUA for signature
• Once SUA signed, inventor shares software
Mechanism to disseminate software
• Protects user and access for strategic purposes and
reuse
– Ownership recognition
– Avoid infringement on authoring contractors
• Release category determines SUA terms, conditions
SUAs protect NASA’s interests
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NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

23. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Agency Hot Software: Most
Frequently Requested (Fall 2009)
• Goddard Mission Services Evolution Center Suite (GMSEC) (GSFC)
• Spacewire (GSFC)
• ITOS (Integrated Test and Operations System) (GSFC)
• CFDP (CCSDS File Delivery Protocol (CFDP) Software Library) (GSFC)
• Copernicus (JSC)
• Earth Global Reference Atmospheric Model 2007 (MSFC)
• Mac/Linux TetrUSS CFD Software (LaRC)
• F-16XL Aircraft Simulation (DFRC)
• Windows Based 3D Scene Analysis Software (KSC)
• Man-machine Integration Design and Analysis System (MIDAS) Version
5.0 (ARC)
• Chimera Grid Tools (CGT) (ARC)
• Spatial Resolution Validation Tool (SSC)
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NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

24. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Software Reuse Examples
• Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) benefits from
software reuse:
• Flexplan Mission Planning System
– The use of Soft Algorithms, Flexplan provides a great deal of flexibility to support
changes in the mission quickly and easily, which will lower operation and
maintenance costs throughout the mission. This flight proven tool is a highly
configurable and can be efficiently configured for different missions.
• Space Link Extension Return Channel Frames(SLE-RCF)
Software Library
– What it would have taken 5 people working 1 year to add and modify existing
software, took 1 person working 3months to develop new software.
• Integrated Trending and Plotting System (ITPS)
– ITPS uses inexpensive PCs, COTs and GOTs products to reduce mission
operations and sustaining engineering costs. Having access to the complete
full-resolution mission telemetry data archive, reduces the time to perform
telemetry analysis from up to 7 days to a few hours.
• Copernicus (JSC)
• NASA centers and industry partners with NASA contracts save money by not having to
develop similar tools, due to the availability of Copernicus at no cost.
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NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

25. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Missed Opportunity
• Premature disclosure to collaborators
– NTR for software was submitted but…
– Software shared with federal and commercial
collaborators
• Before IP had been protected
• No contractual vehicle in place for sharing of software without
compromising ownership
– GSFC could not obtain patent or royalties
– Only option: Open Source software
• Limited commercial value, but can offer access to the innovator
for assistance in incorporation of software as an incentive for
potential partners.
• Lesson Learned
• Ensure Software Usage or other agreements in place before
sharing technology (even if NTR was filed)
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NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

26. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Near Miss
• Mathematical algorithm
– Inventor wasn’t going to report, but a colleague at
another Center encouraged discussions with Patent
Office
– Technology now patented and licensed
– Inventor received $30,000 from HQ for Invention of
the Year
– Technology infused into NASA (RTF analysis)
– GSFC recognized as leading experts in data
analysis for wave sensing
• Improves internal funding opportunities
• Multiple external applications in medical,
structural, and communications
– Successfully licensed 26
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

27. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Recognition and Strategic
Value of Software, Benefits
• Automatic Awards
– Filing of patent application
• $1,000 for sole inventor;
$500 each for multiple inventors
– Acceptance of software for release
• $1,000 for sole inventor;
$500 each for multiple inventors
– Techs approved for publication in NASA Tech
Briefs
• $350 per author
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NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

28. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Software of the Year Awards
• 2009 (ARC)- NASA World Wind Java (WWj) Software
Development Kit (SDK) and Web Mapping
Services (WMS) Server, $25,000
• 2008 (GRC)- Optimal Trajectories by Implicit Simulation,
Version 4 (OTIS4), $42,600
• 2007 CO-Winners
– (JPL)- Adaptive Modified Gerchberg-Saxton (MGS)
Phase Retrieval, $23,600
– (ARC)- Data-Parallel Line Relaxation Code, $9,850
• 2006 (ARC)- Future ATM (Air Traffic Management)
Concepts Evaluation Tool (FACET), $35,700
• 2005 CO-Winners
– (GSFC)- Land Information System V4.0, $43,400
– (JPL)- The Autonomous Sciencecraft Experiment (ASE),
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
$43,000 28
http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

29. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Software Reuse Resources
•GSFC Earth Science Data Systems (ESDS) software reuse-
http://softwarereuse.nasa.gov/
•NASA GSFC Open Source- http://opensource.gsfc.nasa.gov
•GRC software repository- https://technology.grc.nasa.gov/software/
•ARC Open Source- http://opensource.arc.nasa.gov
•ARC Source Forge
– Ames has negotiated an agreement with Source Forge for NASA to
place NASA Open Source software on Source Forge.
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NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

30. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Software Release Authority
Contacts
Ames Research Center Johnson Space Center
Martha Del Alto, 650-604-4865 Jane Fox, 281-483-4815
martha.e.delalto@nasa.gov jane.i.fox@nasa.gov
Dryden Flight Research Center Kennedy Space Center
Stephanie Allison, 661-276-3321 Roger Liang, 321-861-2224
stephanie.n.allison@nasa.gov roger.h.liang@nasa.gov
Glenn Research Center Langley Research Center
Kaprice Harris, 216-433-5754 Stuart Pendleton, 757-864-2943
kaprice.harris@nasa.gov stuart.e.pendleton@nasa.gov
Goddard Space Flight Center Marshall Space Flight Center
Nona K. Cheeks, 301-286-5810 Evelyn Hill, 256-544-7117
nona.k.cheeks@nasa.gov evelyn.hill@nasa.gov
Jet Propulsion Laboratory Stennis Space Center
Mark James, 818-354-8488 Joseph Grant, 228-688-2103
mark.james-1@nasa.gov joseph.grant@nasa.gov
NASA Headquarters
Linda Hong
linda.l.hong@nasa.gov
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NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

31. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
IPP Office Contacts
Ames Research Center Johnson Space Center
Lisa Lockyer Michele Brekke
lisa.l.lockyer@nasa.gov michele.brekke@nasa.gov
Dryden Flight Research Center Kennedy Space Center
Ron Young David R. Makufka
ronald.m.young@nasa.gov david.r.makufka@nasa.gov
Glenn Research Center Langley Research Center
Kathleen Needham Elizabeth Plentovich
kathleen.k.needham@nasa.gov elizabeth.b.plentovich@nasa.gov
Goddard Space Flight Center Marshall Space Flight Center
Nona K. Cheeks James Dowdy
nona.k.cheeks@nasa.gov jim.dowdy@nasa.gov
Jet Propulsion Laboratory Stennis Space Center
Andrew Gray Ramona Pelletier Travis
andrew.a.gray@nasa.gov ramona.e.travis@nasa.gov
NASA Headquarters
Douglas A. Comstock
doug.comstock@nasa.gov
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NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov

32. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Thank you for your time and attention
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NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov