The HPE Spaceborne Computer-2 (SBC-2) has successfully completed 24 research experiments on the International Space Station (ISS).
According to Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), the Spaceborne Computer-2 is the first in-space commercial edge computing and AI-enabled system to run on the International Space Station (ISS). The experiments involved real-time data processing and testing of new applications to prove reliability in space as part of an effort to increase autonomy for astronauts.
The experiments spanned uses cases supporting healthcare, image processing, natural disaster recovery, 3D printing, 5G, and solutions enabled by artificial intelligence.
“By introducing edge computing and AI capabilities to the International Space Station with Spaceborne Computer-2, we have helped foster a growing, collaborative research community that shares a common goal to make scientific and engineering breakthroughs that benefit humankind, on space and here on Earth,” said Dr. Mark Fernandez, principal investigator, Spaceborne Computer-2, HPE.
“We are proud of this ongoing work, which has already resulted in 24 completed experiments, from various organisations, demonstrating new possibilities for space exploration and milestones for humanity.”
Launched in collaboration with the ISS National Laboratory in February 2021, the HPE Spaceborne Computer-2 was installed on the ISS in May last year.
The solution is comprised of HPE’s edge computing solutions, the HPE Edgeline Converged EL4000 Edge system, which provides a rugged and compact system designed to perform in harsher edge environments, such as space. In addition, it is integrated with the HPE ProLiant DL360 server for additional high-performing capabilities to target a range of workloads, including edge, HPC, AI and more.
SBC-2 is part of a greater mission to significantly advance computing and reduce dependence on communications as humans travel farther into space to the Moon, Mars and beyond.
The solution also demonstrates potential ways astronauts can increase self-sufficiency when processing data directly on the space station, in real-time, bypassing longer latency and wait times that occur when relying on sending raw data to Earth to be processed, analysed, and sent back to space.
Since its installment on the ISS, Spaceborne Computer-2 ran dozens of experiments by processing data at the edge, in real-time, for researchers with organisations developing breakthrough capabilities for space exploration such as Axiom, Cornell University, Comucore, Microsoft, NASA and Titan Space Technologies.
Some of the experiments conducted by the Spaceborne Computer-2 include research focused on increasing human safety and self-sufficiency by using AI-enabled damage detection in astronaut gloves. It also explored the automation of satellite imagery interpretation following a disaster.
Other experiments include enabling 3D printing in space, expanding network capability on the ISS with a 5G core prototype, and developing software codes to calculate fuel requirements based on space travel distance.
