Space-based computing has long been constrained by bandwidth limitations and the harsh realities of operating far from traditional IT infrastructure. As the commercial space economy grows and future space stations require more robust computing capabilities, companies are beginning to test whether terrestrial data center technologies can adapt to the extreme edge environment of low Earth orbit.
On August 24, Axiom Space and Red Hat launched their orbital data center prototype to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard SpaceX’s 33rd commercial resupply mission.
The collaboration, sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory, aims to validate whether advanced computing infrastructure can operate autonomously in space while reducing dependence on costly satellite downlinks.
“This technology could enable real-time processing of data close to where it is generated, reducing the need for downlink bandwidth, which is precious in space,” Tony James, chief architect of science and space at Red Hat, told Data Center Knowledge.
Growing Market for Space-Based Computing Infrastructure
The new deployment to the ISS features the Axiom Space AxDCU-1 device, which tightly integrates Red Hat Device Edge technology.
As previously reported by Data Center Knowledge, the Axiom Space deployment represents one of several recent efforts to extend data center infrastructure beyond Earth’s atmosphere. The emerging space data center market is taking shape with distinct approaches for different orbital environments and use cases.
Lonestar Data Holdings recently achieved what it called a “Kitty Hawk moment” with its Freedom data center payload operating while traveling to the moon aboard Intuitive Machines’ Athena Lunar Lander.
Unlike the low-latency applications targeted by orbital data centers, Lonestar’s lunar deployment focuses on data storage and disaster recovery, where the 384,000-kilometer (240,000-mile) distance from Earth is said to provide security benefits through increased latency.
Space-based data centers purportedly offer a revolutionary solution to Earth’s resource constraints, but the promised environmental benefits face astronomical launch costs and significant technical hurdles. Image: Alamy.
Technical Architecture: Red Hat Device Edge in Orbit
The Axiom Data Center Unit (AxDCU-1) runs on Red Hat Device Edge, a platform specifically designed for resource-constrained environments. The system incorporates Red Hat’s MicroShift, a lightweight Kubernetes distribution that enables containerized workloads to run in space.
The technical approach differs significantly from traditional satellite computing systems. Rather than relying on simple onboard processors, the orbital data center uses containerized applications that can be updated and managed remotely while maintaining operational autonomy during communication blackouts with Earth.
The system’s networking architecture addresses the unique challenges of intermittent connectivity inherent in orbital mechanics. As the ISS orbits Earth every 90 minutes, communication windows with ground stations are limited and unpredictable, making traditional always-connected cloud architectures impractical.
Autonomous Operations and Self-Healing Systems
Space deployment requires computing systems to operate without human intervention for extended periods. Red Hat Device Edge addresses this through automated rollbacks and self-healing capabilities built into the platform architecture.
“The platform incorporates automated rollbacks and self-healing capabilities through delta updates and health monitoring,” James explained. “These features are especially critical in space, as they serve as a safeguard to allow the system to detect failures and revert to a stable state without human intervention.”
The system uses delta updates to minimize bandwidth consumption during software updates. Instead of downloading entire software packages, only the changed portions are transmitted, reducing the data load on precious satellite communication links. Health monitoring systems continuously assess system performance and can trigger automatic recovery procedures when anomalies are detected.
Over-the-air updates are delivered through what Red Hat calls “resilient OTA updates,” which enable bandwidth-efficient, staged software deployments. This approach allows patches and upgrades to be validated and applied safely even with the intermittent connectivity inherent in orbital operations.
Addressing Historical Research Limitations
The networking and computing constraints have been a persistent challenge for ISS research operations.
“Through the years, a limiting resource for the research community on the space station was the transfer of data and near real-time data analysis,” Patrick O’Neill, public affairs and outreach lead for the ISS National Laboratory told Data Center Knowledge.
The orbital data center aims to solve this by processing data locally rather than requiring everything to be downlinked to Earth for analysis. This approach could enable researchers to iterate experiments while they’re still running in orbit, potentially maximizing the value of limited research time in the microgravity environment.
Life sciences and biomedical research are expected to benefit most significantly from this capability. These research areas often generate large datasets that currently must wait for downlink opportunities before analysis can begin, potentially losing valuable time-sensitive insights.
Commercial Space Station Requirements
The demonstration serves as a technology validation for future commercial space stations, where more robust computing infrastructure will be essential. Axiom Space is developing its own commercial space station, which will require significantly more advanced data processing capabilities than current ISS systems.
“As Axiom Station evolves, so will the need for scalable, self-sustaining computing environments that operate independently of Earth-based infrastructure,” James said.
The containerized approach using MicroShift is designed to support edge AI, automation, and mission-critical applications in these future platforms.
Terrestrial Applications and Technology Transfer
While designed for space applications, the extreme operating requirements are driving innovations with terrestrial benefits. Computing systems that can survive radiation, power constraints and complete isolation from support infrastructure have applications in remote terrestrial environments.
“The lessons we learn from building computing systems that thrive in the harsh conditions of space have direct benefits here on Earth,” James said. “From improving the reliability of critical infrastructure to advancing autonomous systems and edge AI in remote or resource-constrained regions, this research directly supports missions to improve quality of life on Earth.”