When it comes to choosing computers, NASA faces unique challenges. As an agency focused on outer space and aeronautics research, NASA has special requirements for processing power, security, reliability and compatibility with specialized software and instruments.
Quick Answer
The quick answer is that NASA uses a mix of both Mac and PC computers. The exact breakdown depends on the specific facility and project. Many NASA employees use Macs for daily work, while PCs running Linux or Windows are used for specialized applications and in control rooms.
NASA’s Computer Usage
As a government agency, NASA doesn’t endorse any one brand or platform. Their goal is to choose the best tool for each job within budget constraints. Here are some examples of how Mac and PC are used across NASA:
- Office computers: Many NASA office workers and researchers use Apple MacBooks or iMacs for email, writing reports, analyzing data and other daily tasks. Macs are appreciated for their reliability and user-friendly interface.
- Control rooms: NASA’s mission control rooms, such as for the International Space Station (ISS), use specialized PCs running Linux. These systems have customizable interfaces and can integrate with legacy software used for spacecraft monitoring and control.
- Onboard spacecraft: The computers onboard spacecraft also run Linux. Linux is highly stable, secure, reliable and has lower overhead than Windows or MacOS. It’s easier to optimize Linux for the limited hardware used in space.
- Supercomputers: NASA supercomputers used for complex simulations and number crunching rely on massively parallel Linux clusters. Top500 rankings consistently show NASA’s Pleiades and Electra supercomputers among the world’s most powerful.
- Science labs: Scientists often use Macs or Linux workstations for collecting and analyzing experimental data in labs. The choice depends on compatibility with specialized hardware and software used for their research.
- Software development: NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory uses a mix of Mac, Linux and Windows systems for software development. The choice depends on coding languages used and personal preference.
Why NASA Uses Mac Computers
There are several key reasons why NASA has embraced Mac computers for office and research use:
- User-friendly interface: Mac’s intuitive macOS interface reduces training requirements and allows workers to be more productive more quickly.
- Reliability: Macs are known for stability and resistance to viruses/malware, minimizing disruptions. This is important when deadlines are tight.
- Software ecosystem: Many of the programs NASA relies on, like MATLAB and Wolfram Mathematica, are available for macOS.
- Hardware integration: Macs integrate seamlessly with specialized lab equipment using interfaces like Thunderbolt 3.
- Mobile use: MacBooks allow NASA scientists to easily work in the field or collaborate across facilities.
- IT support: NASA’s IT departments are skilled at supporting and securing Apple products.
- Compatibility: Macs can open Windows files and connect to Linux servers when needed for compatibility.
Additionally, surveys suggest a majority of younger engineers and scientists prefer using Macs. Allowing staff to choose Apple computers improves morale and retention.
Why NASA Uses Windows PCs
Though NASA uses Macs extensively, there are still many situations where PCs running Windows provide advantages:
- Specialized software: Some engineering and science software is Windows-only, like SEM control programs used in materials labs.
- Processing power: Windows workstations can provide extreme single-thread and multi-core CPU performance for research computing.
- Gaming hardware: Windows supports high-end gaming GPUs which can also be used for deep learning and AI development.
- Cost: It can be cheaper to buy and replace commodity PC desktops compared to Macs.
- Legacy systems: Older NASA systems ran DOS or Windows and newer computers may be needed to access legacy hardware/data.
- Control rooms: NASA’s mission control rooms have a long history using Windows and Linux for critical systems.
Additionally, many NASA scientists dual-boot Windows on their Macs in order to access software or capabilities not available on macOS.
Why NASA Uses Linux Systems
While Mac and PC meet many everyday computing needs, for advanced scientific computing, modeling and spacecraft systems, Linux offers unparalleled advantages:
- Stability: Linux systems are rock-solid reliable, staying up for years without crashes.
- Security: The Linux kernel is extremely secure with little vulnerable to cyber attacks.
- Control: Linux allows customization and control not possible with Mac/Windows.
- Scalability: Linux clusters seamlessly scale to thousands of compute nodes.
- Legacy support: Linux maintains support for older hardware and software still needed by NASA.
- Real-time: Linux can provide real-time deterministic performance for spacecraft systems.
- Cost: Linux is free to install on any hardware. Clusters scale in cost linearly.
For these reasons, Linux dominates advanced computing across NASA’s labs, supercomputers and spacecraft.
Mac vs PC Usage by NASA Center
The preference for Mac vs PC varies across different NASA facilities depending on their work:
| NASA Center | Mac Usage | PC Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Jet Propulsion Laboratory | Medium | Medium |
| Johnson Space Center | Low | High |
| Kennedy Space Center | Low | High |
| Marshall Space Flight Center | Low | Medium |
| Armstrong Flight Research Center | Medium | Medium |
| Goddard Space Flight Center | High | Low |
| AMES Research Center | High | Low |
| Langley Research Center | Medium | Medium |
Facilities focused on spaceflight operations like Johnson and Kennedy are PC-dominant, while traditional research centers like AMES and Goddard use more Macs.
Operating Systems Used by NASA
Here are some of the main operating systems used across NASA computers:
macOS
The latest Macs run macOS, such as macOS Mojave, Catalina or Big Sur. Apple proactively keeps macOS updated with the newest features and security fixes.
Windows 10
Standard Windows PCs used by NASA for office work and specialized applications run Windows 10. Some legacy systems still run older Windows versions.
Windows Server
Windows Server operating systems are used on NASA servers for file sharing, print sharing, authentication, DNS, databases and web hosting.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux
Red Hat Enterprise Linux is widely used for mission critical systems, control rooms, supercomputers and spacecraft. RHEL emphasizes stability and certification for high-reliability applications.
Ubuntu
Ubuntu Linux is a popular general purpose open-source OS for workstations, cloud servers and scientific computing. It provides frequent updates and a large software ecosystem.
Other Linux Distros
NASA engineers also use other Linux distributions like Debian, CentOS, SUSE and Arch Linux for specialized use cases.
BSD
Berkeley Software Distribution, or BSD, is another open-source Unix-like OS used in some places at NASA. BSD offers advanced customization and performance tuning.
Other Legacy OSs
Older DOS and early Windows systems may still run specialty software and instruments across NASA facilities.
Browsers Used at NASA
Web browsers are another type of software used extensively by NASA staff. Common browsers include:
- Chrome – Popular cross-platform browser from Google
- Safari – Default browser included on Macs
- Firefox – Open source browser from Mozilla
- Edge – Microsoft’s latest Windows-native browser
- Internet Explorer – Legacy browser still used on some systems
Browser choice depends on operating system, security policies and personal preference. Chrome and Firefox are common choices on both Mac and PC due to their syncing capabilities and abundance of extensions.
Conclusion
In summary, NASA uses a diverse technology ecosystem consisting of Macs, Windows PCs and Linux systems to meet its complex computing needs. Macs are widely used by office workers, researchers and software developers who appreciate their usability and reliability. Windows PCs power specialized engineering apps, control room displays and cost-effective office desktops. And Linux provides the backbone for mission critical spaceflight systems, supercomputers and scientific data processing. This complementary blend of technology provides NASA personnel with the right tools for each job.