NASA Ares Rocket Specs to Be Open Source

Bruce writes "As a step toward returning to the moon, NASA announced last week that Boeing will be the lead contractor for the Ares I rocket. Interestingly, Popular Mechanics reports that the system's specifications will be 'open-source and non-proprietary' to encourage competition on future contracts."

I can hear it now

[$RANDOMLUSER]

CAPCOM: Good morning Persues, how are you today?
PERSUES: 5 by 5 Houston, what's the plan for today? We're only halfway to the moon.
CAPCOM: Persues, we need you to run a few 'patch' commands, we're uploading the diffs now...

Re:In not too long

[NickCatal]

But will the wrist strap on the rocket be strong enough? I don't want my Ares Rocket messing up my flat screen TV

Change of heart?

[PHAEDRU5]

This is what happens when Karl Rove leaves the building. (http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/07/30/0215204)

Translation

[CrackPipePls]

Translation:"We need more people to blame"

Re:I can hear it now

[mhall119]

NASA: I just tried to launch OpenAres 1.1, but my rocket blew up!
RoxetMan: RTFM, noob!

Re:In not too long

[sumdumass]

Yes they can, and just like any PC based thruster, it will be more efficient, more stable, and you won't have to recycle the power every few days of bug free operation. As a matter of fact, net craft has confirmed that installing slackware and removing the windowing OS that came with it will allow for longer trips in space and even maned trips to Pluto.com and back. Long live the really hot air coming from slackware powered thrusters.