Key facts
- Satlyt's software was tested to spread out computing tasks among computers in orbit.
- The test simulated a network with four computers, four users, and eight services.
- The software generated plans on hardware in orbit, with one physical computer running the software.
- Satlyt aims to enable developers to build applications for space without rebuilding infrastructure for each mission.
Satlyt has taken a step closer to its goal of transforming satellites into orbital data centers with a successful test of its software. The company's technology aims to enable multiple satellites to share computing tasks, processing data closer to where it is collected. This approach addresses challenges like limited onboard computing resources, intermittent communication, and the need for timely information retrieval.
The test, conducted in collaboration with the University of Houston as part of a NASA-funded research project, simulated a network of four computers and eight services. Satlyt's software assessed how to assign and run tasks on these simulated orbital computers, considering available compute power and communication links. While only one physical computer was used in orbit for the test, the results demonstrated the software's ability to generate plans for onboard hardware. The company's software is already installed on three satellites.
Founder and CEO Rama Afullo stated that the goal is to allow users to define permissions and priorities, with the software making operational decisions within those limits. This technology could expedite the transmission of critical information, such as wildfire data, by processing it closer to the source. Satlyt plans further testing to validate its software under various conditions and to demonstrate computing work shared across separate spacecraft.