So, I just read the NASA / Google press release and though I would chime in on it. This is for a new joint NASA / Google application to bring data to the masses.. I guess NASA forgot there is NASA World Wind already to do this.

As the first in a series of joint collaborations, Google and Ames will focus on making the most useful of NASA’s information available on the Internet. Real-time weather visualization and forecasting, high-resolution 3- D maps of the moon and Mars, real-time tracking of the International Space Station and the space shuttle will be explored in the future.

Ok, lets start here and work our way through the announcement.

• Real-Time weather - World Wind has had that since 1.3.3
• high-resolution 3- D maps of the moon and Mars - World Wind has also had that since 1.3.3 and with the OnMars dataset you can get the imagery they are taking RIGHT NOW
• real-time tracking of the International Space Station and the space shuttle - Got that already as well as satellite tracking

So far they are describing World Wind, but lets continue.

“This agreement between NASA and Google will soon allow every American to experience a virtual flight over the surface of the moon or through the canyons of Mars,” said NASA Administrator Michael Griffin at Headquarters in Washington. “This innovative combination of information technology and space science will make NASA’s space exploration work accessible to everyone,” added Griffin.

Already been showing that to school kids myself. Next..

“Partnering with NASA made perfect sense for Google, as it has a wealth of technical expertise and data that will be of great use to Google as we look to tackle many computing issues on behalf of our users,” said Eric Schmidt, chief executive officer of Google. “We’re pleased to move forward to collaborate on a variety of technical challenges through the signing of the Space Act Agreement.”

*pssst* Is that what NASA World Wind was supposed to have been developed for?

NASA and Google intend to collaborate in a variety of areas, including incorporating agency data sets in Google Earth, focusing on user studies and cognitive modeling for human computer interaction, and science data search utilizing a variety of Google features and products.

So.. does that mean that since Google will be displaying public domain imagery that I can create an add-on for World Wind to show all that imagery also in World Wind and not have Google send the lawyers at me? Just how open to use will this data be if Google is hosting it.

“Our collaboration with Google will demonstrate that the private and public sectors can accomplish great things together,” said S. Pete Worden, Ames center director. “I want NASA Ames to establish partnerships with the private sector that will encourage innovation, while advancing the Vision for Space Exploration and commercial interests,” Worden added.

• Dapple - http://dapple.geosoft.com/
• NextImage - http://www.apogee.com.au/products/nextimage/index.html
• InteleView - http://www.intelesense.net/about/technology

I think I actually forgot a few others.. but you get the drift.

“NASA has collected and processed more information about our planet and universe than any other entity in the history of humanity,” said Chris C. Kemp, director of strategic business development at Ames. “Even though this information was collected for the benefit of everyone, and much is in the public domain, the vast majority of this information is scattered and difficult for non-experts to access and to understand.

A fairly good chunk of it is in World Wind and is used daily by millions of people. Other than the occasional “Can I see my house in Backhairastan?” questions, people are making some very good use of World Wind and the imagery available.

“We’ve worked hard over the past year to implement an agreement that enables NASA and Google to work closely together on a wide range of innovative collaborations,” said Kemp. “We are bringing together some of the best research scientists and engineers to form teams to make more of NASA’s vast information accessible.”

Time better spent realizing their own in house development.. but that is fine. NWW is living on and getting stronger.. other governmental groups have noticed World Wind’s potential and are making funds available for further development. World Wind is also used in some interesting locations.. and I can’t tell you (sorry.. I promised “The Man” I wouldn’t share most of what I know).

But really, looking through the release.. they are almost word for word describing something they already have available. But let Google spend it’s millions.. they do the hard work and because the data has to be in the public domain.. it will be in World Wind in no time.