Red Hat's Device Edge enables Axiom Space's prototype data center in the ISS, which makes resilient computing in space and real-time research possible.

Axiom Space has sent to the International Space Station (ISS) a prototype data center, AxDCU-1, for testing the computing in space. The system is based on the Red Hat Device Edge platform and represents a leap forward in processing data in space directly instead of using only the earth-based downlinks.

The unit, which was carried on SpaceX's 33rd commercial resupply mission on August 24th, supports containerized applications that have been modified for floating conditions in space. The MicroShift, a miniaturized version of the Kubernetes software, forms its core and adapts to the resource-constrained environment.

Tony James, chief architect of science and space at Red Hat, underlined the fact that the platform has support for automated rollback and self-healing aspects due to its resilience in space. Delta software updates both reduce bandwidth utilization to the greatest extent by sending out only the code changes made so far.

The research initiative published by the ISS National Laboratory highlighted that this advancement has also solved its longstanding issue of bandwidth, enabling researchers to change their experiments in near-reality. The deployment also serves as a testbed for future governments to build commercial space stations that will be developed by Axiom Space.

By building on Red Hat technologies, for example, the project is proving the concepts of edge computing, automation, and AI could be used for mission-critical applications in the orbital platforms of the future.