Pioneering Supercomputing in Space

May 15, 2024

Atlas Manufacturing and the Spaceborne Computer

Atlas Manufacturing supports supercomputing in space through our work on the Spaceborne Computer program. Atlas built the housing for the Spaceborne Computer, which has orbited the Earth more than 8,900 times aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Atlas In Orbit
Our hands touched hardware that went farther and faster than almost any human ever will.
The Atlas-built housing rode the International Space Station with the HPE Spaceborne Computer inside. The numbers below are the trip it took.
One lap every 90 minutes, 16 sunrises a day, with an Atlas nameplate along for every one of them.
8,900+
orbits of Earth
229,000,000
miles traveled
17,500
miles per hour
2.8 g
launch forces survived
At 17,500 mph, how long would your trip take?
About 8 and a half minutes. A commercial jet takes about 5 and a half hours. The Spaceborne Computer covered that distance before you could finish a coffee, roughly 30 times faster than an airliner.
Figures from the Spaceborne Computer program: 8,900+ orbits, roughly 229 million miles, at about 17,500 mph aboard the ISS. Fewer than 700 people have ever been to space. The Atlas logo made the whole trip and came home intact.
HPE Spaceborne Computer, rear view, shown at HPE Discover 2019

Supercomputing in Orbit

The Spaceborne Computer was built to show that advanced supercomputing can run reliably in space, where it faces microgravity, radiation, and power fluctuations. Running this hardware on the ISS lets astronauts and researchers process data in orbit instead of sending it back to Earth first, which cuts the time to results. For more detail on the program, see the ISS National Lab's explanation and ServeTheHome's review.

Atlas's Contribution

The housing Atlas manufactured protects the supercomputer through the conditions of space travel, including speeds around 17,500 miles per hour and gravitational forces about 2.8 times those on Earth during launch. The work reflects our focus on precision engineering for demanding applications.

Impact and Future Opportunities

The success of the Spaceborne Computer points to new possibilities for space exploration and on-orbit data handling, including more complex future missions. Atlas is proud to have a part in that work.

Looking Ahead

The Atlas logo remained intact aboard the ISS after traveling nearly 229 million miles. For us, that is a reminder of the reliability and quality we build into every part, on Earth and beyond. By supporting missions like the Spaceborne Computer, Atlas takes on complex projects and delivers.

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Xavier

Xavier has always been captivated by the intricate dance between technology and manufacturing. His journey began in Minnesota, working for a local manufacturing company, and this early experience laid the foundation for his deep-rooted connection to the industry. With a family legacy in manufacturing, Xavier's insights are enriched by both personal and professional experiences. Over the years, he has dedicated himself to exploring and writing about the transformative impact of technology on the manufacturing sector. As a guest blogger on Atlas Manufacturing, Xavier shares his unique perspective, weaving together stories of innovation, tradition, and the future of manufacturing.