European Space Agency is using SUSE in their command center

Nov 17, 2014 17:24 GMT  ·  By
European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) within the European Space Agency
10 photos
   European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) within the European Space Agency

The human race has sent a small probe called Philae to land on a comet and got it right the first time it tried. As expected, a Linux operating system has been involved in the success of the mission.

The Rosetta space probe was built by the European Space Agency and sent to a nearby comet. It took this mission 10 years to reach its destination and it was a success. The scientists managed to even land a small probe on the surface of the comet, which was a first for the human race.

If you didn't already know, the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) within the European Space Agency, the one with the cool monitors and filled with scientists monitoring the mission, is powered by SUSE, which is a Linux distribution.

"With 390 instances of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server already deployed, and a further 50 to be deployed in 2013, ESOC is enjoying faster installation, better control over system configuration, excellent performance and reliability, strong technical support from SUSE, and the confidence that it has an operating system that it can maintain for the long term," say the SUSE people on their website.

The fact that Linux is involved in the space program is not something new. In fact, other distros are used as well, like Debian on the ISS (international Space Station), or Ubuntu at NASA's JPL.

Philae images (10 Images)

European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) within the European Space Agency
Confirmation of separation of the Philae lander from RosettaFirst touchdown
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