NASA & Google Team Together at AMES
As the BBC is reporting it appears as if Google and NASA have teamed up.
Google, the do no evil company, as a government contractor. While they mention doing work like sensor design and engineering analysis, I see the most potential for what they could bring in the Data Management arena. This could have the potential to revolutionize the way NASA handles their data systems. In the past projects at NASA get funded and awarded to different contractors, who then create the data systems they need to support their projects. The contractor typically does not share any of this data unless it get specifically mentioned in the contract, which isn't that common. As a result one of the biggest weaknesses in NASA's IT systems is the inability to search accross the plentitude of data systems. It is impossible to apply Data Mininng, Trending, and Analysis technologies to this data. In the words of the CAIB Report,
"In its investigation, the Board found that the information systems that support the Shuttle Program are extremely cumbersome and difficult to use in decision making at any level."Perhaps Google is the type of company that can overcome these challenges? It's what the "Good Guys" would do.