Which Computers Do NASA, SpaceX, And Blue Origin Use?

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Headlines:

• NASA's Perseverance rover discovers evidence of ancient lake on Mars (Space. com)

• SpaceX's Starship prototype makes successful vertical takeoff and landing test (CNN)

• Blue Origin's BE-4 engine ready to power New Glenn rocket (The Verge)

• China's space agency plans to send its first crewed mission to the moon (BBC News)

• European Space Agency's Gaia spacecraft reveals new insights into the Milky Way (Scientific American)

• NASA's Parker Solar Probe approaches the sun for closest-ever flyby (NASA. gov)

• SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule reaches orbital velocity during test flight (Spaceflight Now)

• NASA's Long March 5 rocket set to launch China's lunar exploration mission (Xinhua News Agency) These bullet points highlight recent developments and achievements in the space industry, "including private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin.".. as well as government agencies like NASA and the European Space Agency.

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The Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC) used during the first moon landings had 32,768 bits of RAM and 589,824 bits of ROM. In contrast, modern DDR4 RAM sticks offer around 64 billion bits of memory, highlighting significant advancements in computing power over the decades.

NASA's Pleiades Supercomputer , one of the world's most powerful, uses SUSE Linux Enterprise Server and features various Intel Xeon processors. This supercomputer aids in modeling and simulation for space missions.

NASA's Pleiades runs on Linux due to its stability. Other NASA computing systems, including those used in space missions and ground control, also utilize Linux. NASA's Spacecraft Command and Control System (SCCS) manages data from the Artemis I mission, handling high data transfer rates and complex communication requirements.

For in-space operations, NASA uses IBM ThinkPad laptops , certified for their reliability and resistance to space conditions. These laptops, along with other standard hardware, support various functions on the International Space Station (ISS).

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rockets and Crew Dragon capsules use dual-core x86 processors and Linux for their computing needs. Crew Dragon employs three independent computers to verify each other's calculations, ensuring redundancy and reliability during space missions.

Blue Origin's New Shepard vehicle operates with proprietary, unspecified onboard computers that manage autonomous flight. The exact specifications of these systems remain undisclosed, but the technology is integral to the vehicle's operations.

Advances in computer technology continue to impact space exploration. Modern processors and software are crucial for space programs, with companies like SpaceX hiring game developers for their expertise in complex algorithms, enhancing spacecraft and rocket technologies.

As technology progresses, the gap between consumer and space exploration computing continues to narrow. Innovations from Intel and AMD, among other tech advancements, may further integrate space technologies with consumer products, driving continued progress in space exploration.