Open Source Software Policy Options for NASA Earth and Space Sciences

Modern science is ever more driven by computations and simulations. In particular, the state of the art in space and Earth science often arises from complex simulations of climate, space weather, and astronomical phenomena. At the same time, scientific work requires data processing, presentation, and analysis through broadly available proprietary and community software.1 Implicitly or explicitly, software is central to science. Scientific discovery, understanding, validation, and interpretation are all enhanced by access to the source code of the software used by scientists. This report investigates and recommends options for NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) as it considers how to establish a policy regarding open source software to complement its existing policy on open data. In particular, the report reviews existing data and software policies and the lessons learned from the implementation of those policies, summarizes community perspectives, and presents policy options and recommendations for implementing an open source software policy for NASA SMD. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction and Policy Purpose 2 Background Materials 3 Past and Current Policies 4 Lessons Learned from Community Perspectives 5 Policy Options and Recommendations 6 Discussion Appendixes Appendix A: Statement of Task Appendix B: Copyright Issues of Interest to NASA Investigators and Developers of Software Appendix C: Call for White Papers and Listing of Received White Papers Appendix D: Biographies of Committee Members and Staff Appendix E: Acronyms