IBM SP used to search for satellite debris and other objects in spaceMaui 20 November 2000 The Maui High Performance Computing Center is using a 480 Gflop/s IBM SP supercomputer to identify objects in space, including old satellites, foreign spacecraft and unidentified objects.
The new supercomputer assembles photos of objects tracked by U.S. Air Force telescopes, helping to
ensure the US defense, as well as the safety of NASA space flights. The SP is the electronic brain that supports the system that locates, tracks and images satellites
using ground based telescopes. The images are then digitally enhanced by the supercomputer, using algorithms to improve images in
only three to five seconds. The matic improvement in image quality produced by the IBM SP allows the government to identify
space objects. In addition, close-up images of damaged spacecraft assist the government in determining the extent of the damage. The new supercomputer uses 320 IBM POWER3-II microprocessors, 224 gigabytes of memory and 2.9 terabytes of IBM disk.
Ad Emmen [News on Advanced IT] [Calendar] [Analysis] [IT in Medicine] |
 |