ISS Astronauts Upgrade to New Laptops
▼ Summary
– NASA announced the Expedition 74 crew on the ISS is receiving computer upgrades, starting with network server replacements.
– The crew reviewed plans to activate new, more powerful laptop computers following the server upgrades.
– NASA confirmed the selected new laptop is the HP ZBook G9 Mobile Workstation.
– Astronauts, including Chris Williams, have been unpacking and configuring the new computer hardware.
– The upgrade process involves specific steps, with server replacement occurring before the new laptops are activated.
Even astronauts working 250 miles above Earth need a hardware refresh. The crew of Expedition 74 aboard the International Space Station is currently receiving a significant technology upgrade, with NASA confirming the process began last week. The team convened on Friday to finalize plans that involve first replacing the orbiting lab’s network servers before activating a suite of new, more powerful laptop computers.
In a statement, NASA spokesperson Joshua Finch identified the specific hardware chosen for the mission: HP ZBook G9 Mobile Workstation. This selection marks the latest step in ensuring the station’s computing capabilities keep pace with the demands of scientific research and operational tasks. The upgrade procedure underscores the continuous maintenance required to support the ISS as a cutting-edge microgravity laboratory.
Astronauts, including Chris Williams and Jessica Meir, have been photographed in recent weeks unpacking and configuring the new computer hardware. The transition to these more robust systems is a routine but critical part of station upkeep, ensuring crews have the reliable tools needed for everything from data analysis to maintaining communication with mission control. The HP ZBook Fury G9 is designed to handle intensive workloads, a necessity for the complex experiments and daily operations conducted in space.
(Source: The Verge)
