Nasa puts space station software to the test

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  • Houston lab housing duplicate of ISS systems

    Houston lab housing duplicate of ISS systems

    Hidden away in a nondescript building in Houston, Texas, is a duplicate set of the computing systems found onboard the International Space Station (ISS).

    The building houses the ISS software development and integration laboratory — a facility run by Nasa and aerospace company Boeing. The lab is the last stop for software before it is uploaded to the station.

    Software is first developed in the prime software production facility, before being checked in the software verification facility and subsequently integrated with duplicate station hardware in the software integration laboratory.

    Photo by: Nick Heath/silicon.com

    Caption by: Nick Heath

  • Computer terminal that duplicates a robotic arm onboard the ISS

    Computer terminal that duplicates a robotic arm onboard the ISS

    This computer terminal is the same as one used to control a robotic arm onboard the ISS.

    The lab runs new software on the terminal to check the code will work properly in orbit.

    The three upper displays seen here show video feeds from a camera on the arm, allowing crew members to use the joystick to steer the arm to its target.

    The station's main robotic arm is used for a wide range of purposes, including station assembly, maintenance and anchoring astronauts during spacewalks.

    Photo by: Nick Heath/silicon.com

    Caption by: Nick Heath

  • Motor berth controllers for the space station

    Motor berth controllers for the space station

    Pictured here is one of the space station's motor berth controllers, which attach spacecraft to the station during the docking process.

    The device controls the automated bolts that secure visiting spacecraft to the space station.

    For more on this ZDNet UK-selected story, see Photos: Nasa's space station computing centre on silicon.com.

    Photo by: Nick Heath/silicon.com

    Caption by: Nick Heath

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A look inside the lab housing a duplicate set of the systems on the International Space Station, Nasa and Boeing check new software out before uploading it to the station

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Houston lab housing duplicate of ISS systems

Hidden away in a nondescript building in Houston, Texas, is a duplicate set of the computing systems found onboard the International Space Station (ISS).

The building houses the ISS software development and integration laboratory — a facility run by Nasa and aerospace company Boeing. The lab is the last stop for software before it is uploaded to the station.

Software is first developed in the prime software production facility, before being checked in the software verification facility and subsequently integrated with duplicate station hardware in the software integration laboratory.

Caption by: Nick Heath

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