

In this case use, modification and further licensing of the software shall be restricted to individuals or entities belonging to the ESA Member States. When there is no need/added value to implement a world-wide OSS scheme, an “ESA Community Software” licensing regime can be implemented. A clear strategy on OSS consolidates the leadership of ESA in software developments for the space sector and allows ESA to fulfill its mandate as a focal point for European research and innovation.Ĭonsidering the risks and potential consequences associated with the distribution of the OSS for ESA, it is of the utmost importance that the ESA Software Licensing Board authorisation is granted and recorded in a Software Licensing Authorisation (SWLA) prior to any distribution of any software outside ESA.ĭistribution of Open Source Software within the ESA Member States In addition, not least due to industrial commercial interests, ESA had to implement an effective OSS strategy that opens the necessary opportunities for industry in a global market, inside and outside of the space sector. 2 (“GCC”) (sub-clauses 42.10 and 42.11) foresee the possibility of open source licensing of software developed under ESA contracts. Since 2004, the General Clauses and Conditions for ESA contracts, ESA/REG/002, rev. develops lucrative consulting, training and support services offering.ĮSA could not remain oblivious to this trend: in the last two decades, ESA, like any other relevant organisation using and procuring software, has increasingly been making use of OSS.facilitates rapid evolution of the software.reduces development and maintenance costs for the individual users.This trend is due to the generally perceived benefits of OSS, namely:

The use of OSS world-wide has increased significantly in the last decade to the point that OSS plays today an essential role in all industrial sectors and government, including space and defence.
Open source browser definition code#
Innovative: With an unlimited flow of information and exchange of ideas, open source software leads to endless possibilities, pushing the boundaries and developing new and improved software across industries.Open Source Software (OSS) is computer software recognised by the Open Source Initiative (OSI), whose source code is made available under a copyright licence that allows users to use, study, change, and improve the software, and to redistribute it in a modified or unmodified form. This means that bugs can be quickly resolved and solutions can be more dependable than commercial software. Reliability: Due to the collaborative nature of open source software, code is peer-reviewed and supported by the community. Scalability: Because open source software is so flexible and adaptable, it can be much easier to scale and use in different operating systems or devices. Users are protected against lock-in risks and can see exactly what they’re getting. Users always know exactly what they are getting, without any blocks. Transparency: Since all information is shared, open source software is authentic and unfettered.


High-quality: In general, open source software is higher quality and well-designed.Įfficiency: Using already made, and readily available source code can save time, energy and money and impact how long it takes to build a website or other online application.Ĭost-effective: Similarly, since open source software is freely available, it can save money in comparison to costly commercial software. By freely sharing information with other minds, it creates new products and outcomes. Collaboration: Open source software is intentionally decentralized in order to promote collaboration.
