The speed of a NASA computer varies depending on the specific system, but one of their most powerful supercomputers, Aitken, has a theoretical peak performance of 13.12 petaflops, or 13.12 quadrillion floating-point operations per second.
NASA utilizes various computers for different tasks, ranging from desktop workstations to powerful supercomputers. Therefore, there isn't a single "NASA computer" with one definitive speed. However, highlighting the capabilities of one of their prominent systems provides a good understanding of their computational power.
NASA's Aitken Supercomputer
Aitken, named after astronomer Robert Grant Aitken, is a significant resource for NASA. Key characteristics include:
- Performance: 13.12 petaflops (theoretical peak). This places it among the most powerful supercomputers globally.
- Usage: Used for a wide range of complex modeling and simulation tasks, essential for space exploration, climate research, and aeronautics.
- Ranking: As of June 2022, Aitken was ranked 58th on the Top500 list of supercomputers worldwide.
The speed of Aitken enables NASA scientists and engineers to:
- Simulate complex physical phenomena
- Analyze vast datasets from telescopes and satellites
- Develop advanced aerospace technologies
Therefore, while NASA employs a diverse array of computers, Aitken's speed of 13.12 petaflops exemplifies the high-performance computing capabilities within the agency.
