SSDs are bound for the International Space Station

KIOXIA Europe GmbH is participating in the HPE Spaceborne Computer-2 (SBC-2) program, which uses KIOXIA SSDs to supply robust flash storage in HPE Edgeline and HPE ProLiant servers in a test environment to perform scientific experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

The HPE Spaceborne Computer-2, the first in-space commercial edge computing and AI-enabled system to operate on the ISS, is part of a grander mission to greatly advance computing and decrease dependency on communications as space exploration continues to grow. For example, astronauts can attain increased autonomy by processing data directly on the ISS, eradicating the necessity to send raw data to Earth to be processed, analysed and sent back to space.

Designed to perform assorted high-performance computing tasks in space, including real-time image processing, deep learning, and scientific simulations, the program uses a combination of HPE's edge computing solutions, including the HPE Edgeline Converged Edge System, a rugged and compact system, and the HPE ProLiant server for high-performing capabilities. The program is aimed at various workloads and has already aided advanced progress in healthcare, image processing, 3D printing, natural disaster recovery, 5G, AI, and more. As a program sponsor, the company has supplied flash-based SSDs, including KIOXIA RM Series Value SAS and KIOXIA XG Series NVMe SSDs, to facilitate these solutions. These flash-based SSDs are better-suited than conventional hard disk drive storage to withstand outer space's power, performance and reliability necessities, as they have no moving parts, are less susceptible to electromagnetic waves and offer faster performance.

"Proving that data centre-level SSDs and compute processing can successfully be deployed in the harsh conditions of space is a challenging prospect," noted Paul Rowan, Vice President for SSD Marketing & Engineering at KIOXIA Europe GmbH. "The synergies that exist when KIOXIA and HPE collaborate to leverage our respective technologies are allowing us to explore exciting new possibilities. We can't wait to see where the HPE Spaceborne Computer journey will take us."

The company has been collaborating with HPE to develop best-in-class storage solutions for many years, and the company's products facilitate a wide range of HPE solutions, from mobile to data centre to enterprise. Value SAS SSDs are part of the Life After SATA campaign, allowing customers to easily transition from ageing SATA SSDs while providing higher performance and reliability.

"It is an exciting time for Hewlett Packard Enterprise as we continue to play an important role in the expanding space economy. We are pleased to continue our longstanding collaboration with KIOXIA and partner together on our space computing initiatives to bring its storage solutions to the ISS with us," said Jim Jackson, chief marketing officer at HPE. "By bringing KIOXIA's expertise and its SSDs, one of the industry's leading NAND flash capabilities, with HPE Spaceborne Computer-2, together we are pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery and innovation at the most extreme edge."