NASA Uses HPE-Built Supercomputer to Advance Research for Artemis Lunar Mission

NASA has used the Hewlett Packard Enterprise-built Aitken supercomputer to carry out simulations on launch environment and booster separation event at Kennedy Space Center in Florida in preparation for the Artemis manned mission to the moon by 2024. 

The company said Tuesday it also expanded NASA’s Aitken supercomputer with its HPE Apollo systems to help the space agency perform computing-extensive simulation and modeling activities and apply computational fluid dynamics to better gain insights into aerodynamic events. 

HPE developed the supercomputer for NASA in August 2019 to support the agency’s research efforts for the Artemis program and other missions. Aitken is housed at a modular supercomputing facility at Ames Research Center in California. 

NASA has used the supercomputer to come up with a database of aerodynamic data to understand possible events during booster separation and simulate duct overpressure and ignition overpressure waves to identify potential risks to the mission.