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Overview
● About SpaceX
● Linux on servers
● Linux in space!
● What we like about Linux
● What's coming
● Food for thought
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About SpaceX
● Formally, Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
● A “new aerospace” company (only 10 years old)
● Over 1800 employees, headquartered in Hawthorne, CA (Los Angeles Area)
● Goal: Provide the safest, most reliable and economical access to space.
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The SpaceX Philosophy
● Reusability
● Economies of Scale
● Vertical Integration
● Continual Improvement
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Implications
● We build ~80% of what we send into
space
– From raw materials to final product
– Block of metal → rocket parts
– Circuit boards + chips → finished computers● Design, prototype, test, produce – all in-house
● Everyone working together in the same building
● Freedom to try new ideas
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Flight Software Platform
● Board bring-up:
– Bootloader
– Hardware initialization and configuration● Operating system
– Kernel
– Userspace support
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Linux Servers
● Spaceflight generates a lot of data!
● Servers running Linux shuttle this data from ground stations around the world.
● Streaming, storage, analysis (test, live, and post-flight)
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COTS Demo Flight 1 (C1)
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COTS Demo Flight 1 (C1)
● Did not run Linux
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COTS Demo Flight 1 (C1)
● Did not run Linux
● Was a proof-of-concept
● Tested systems
● C2/3 (C2+) was very different
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Elon's Tweet
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Dragon Runs Linux
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Thruster Firings
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Pyrotechnics
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Approach to Station
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Holding for Capture
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What We Like About Linux
● Programmability is key
● Enterprise support (stable kernel)
● Availability of soft real-time patches
● Wide use
● Open source
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Human Spaceflight (CCiCap)
● August 3: SpaceX awarded $440 million contract to:
– Develop and demonstrate a Launch Abort System (escape rockets) using SuperDraco engines
– Certify the DragonRider for human spaceflight● What role will Linux play in the DragonRider human-rated
spacecraft?
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10 meters
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Summary
● SpaceX continues to develop exciting new technologies for space
● Linux plays a key role
● Be careful with your code: It might fly into space!
● Is this crazy? Awesome? Discuss.
