NASA's switch to Linux in space was driven by reliability, flexibility, and security concerns. The International Space Station (ISS) originally relied on Windows, but astronauts frequently encountered crashes and instability. In 2013, NASA announced that all laptops on the ISS would transition to Debian, a Linux-based operating system, to improve stability and control over software.
This change wasn’t just about reliability. Windows was much more vulnerable to malware, and in 2007, a worm named W32.Gammima.AG spread to the ISS. With Linux, NASA gained the ability to modify and customize the system for mission-critical applications without depending on proprietary software. Today, Linux powers much of NASA’s space infrastructure, from ISS systems to Mars rovers and beyond.
#Linux #NASA #Debian #OpenSource #SpaceTech #TechHistory
This change wasn’t just about reliability. Windows was much more vulnerable to malware, and in 2007, a worm named W32.Gammima.AG spread to the ISS. With Linux, NASA gained the ability to modify and customize the system for mission-critical applications without depending on proprietary software. Today, Linux powers much of NASA’s space infrastructure, from ISS systems to Mars rovers and beyond.
#Linux #NASA #Debian #OpenSource #SpaceTech #TechHistory
