Which OS is used in SpaceX?

SpaceX’s Operating System: A Customized Linux Kernel

SpaceX, the leading private spaceflight company, employs a customized Linux kernel as the operating system (OS) for its primary flight computers. This includes the computers used in its Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket.

The Linux kernel, version 3.2, forms the core of SpaceX’s flight computers. It has been augmented with real-time capabilities, making it suitable for controlling the complex operations of spacecraft and rockets. This modified Linux kernel provides precise timing and ensures reliable execution of critical tasks.

The customized Linux kernel has proven to be highly effective in powering SpaceX’s missions. It has been used in successful launches of the Falcon 9 rocket, including the historic launches of Crew Dragon and Dragon Cargo to the International Space Station.

In addition to its primary flight computers, SpaceX also utilizes its customized Linux kernel in its test vehicles, such as Grasshopper. Grasshopper serves as a testbed for SpaceX’s rocket technologies and has been used to conduct numerous suborbital flights. The Linux-based OS provides Grasshopper with the necessary computing power and flexibility to support its testing operations.

The use of a customized Linux kernel by SpaceX demonstrates the adaptability and versatility of open-source operating systems. By modifying the Linux kernel, SpaceX has tailored it to meet the unique requirements of spaceflight, enabling its spacecraft and rockets to operate with precision and reliability.