Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Recently, businesses worldwide, including banks, airlines, telecommunications companies, TV and radio broadcasters, and supermarkets, experienced disruptions due to blue screen of death (BSOD) errors on Windows workstations.
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.