NASA Software Ready For Sale

Most major projects such as space IWO flight or construction of a nuclear reactor are preceded by a risk assessment, which is based on the probability of a series of failures taking place. Initially developed by the University of Maryland (College Park) and NASA's Office of Mission Assurance, the Quantitative Risk Assessment System (QRAS) calculates the probabilistic risk assessment (PRA). The PRA is provided in real time so that if, for example, a Space Shuttle engine shuts down moments before launch, the software could provide an updated PRA to the flight manager. QRAS has a user-friendly graphical interface that is designed to be used easily by managers and design engineers with minimal risk assessment training.

Item Software, an Anaheim, GA-based company, has licensed a module for the QRAS that automates the inclusion and quantification of common cause failures in system fault trees. The Common Cause Failure Analysis Module simplifies the task of inserting and working with common cause failures in the QRAS software. Item Software is developing the software for commercial sale, and is setting up a satellite office in Maryland to leverage the resources of both NASA and the University of Maryland.

The new module constitutes a vital improvement over currently available risk modeling software, a fact that Item Software hopes to highlight in the commercial sale of the product. The University of Maryland's Office of Technology Commercialization -which worked with NASA to facilitate the licensing of QRAS - has generated nearly 200 licensing agreements to Maryland-based companies.

For more information on Item software, visit www.itemsoftware.com. Visit www. otc.umd.edu to learn more about UMD's tech transfer program.

Next Month in NTB

Each fall, NASA chooses its Software of the Year - the software that exhibits the most scientific and technical significance. Find out who the winner is for 2003 and learn more about the software in the October issue.