14 DAY TRIAL // NASA has released the source code for a complete set of software tools that cover pretty much everything from aeronautics and propulsion, and from system testing and handling.
Don't mistake making the source code public for open source, but it's still more than anyone has done. In fact, NASA is the only agency in the world dealing with space matters that has taken this step. This is part of a coordinated effort to give private enterprises a push in the right direction. It's much easier to get things off the ground if you don't start from scratch.
It's clear that this is not the latest stuff being used by NASA, but it might be general enough that a lot of people will be able to make use of this. It's not following an open source model, but even so developers and other agencies will probably be able to integrate the work of NASA, which has been doing this work for half a decade. Any input that you get from NASA will be helpful.
NASA is trying to help the private sector
Entirely state-funded space programs are no longer possible in today's economy, and the US government is trying to get the private sector involved. So far, there's been limited success, but some high-up figures in the administration figured out that sharing this kind of information might help them in the long run.
"As the emerging commercial space industry takes flight, NASA software helps give the leg up that new companies in this nascent industry need. NASA is providing the safety protocols, guidance and navigation codes, and even the advanced design tools needed for building spacecraft, but programs in the Software Catalog have applications beyond space. NASA’s software has been used by hundreds of non-aerospace companies in everything," reads the statement from The White House.
It is still a long way before seeing NASA open sourcing their tools, but at least it's a step in the right direction.