Satlyt tests software for sharing computing tasks between satellites

Satlyt has demonstrated that its software can plan how computing tasks might be shared across satellites, a step towards turning existing spacecraft into an orbital data processing network. The approach could help satellites analyse data where it is collected and send useful findings to Earth sooner, especially when communication links are limited or intermittent.

The NASA-funded test, conducted with the University of Houston after 13 months of work, modelled four computers, four users and eight services. Only one computer aboard a spacecraft in orbit ran the software; the other computers were simulated, so further testing is needed to show how multiple physical computers exchange information. Satlyt says its software is already on three satellites, but NASA has not selected it for a mission or deployment.