Virtual desktops online in space
Orbital test vehicle
Citrix XenDesktop and Branch Repeater help optimise the delivery of virtual desktops and applications to the ISS crew, dramatically reducing bandwidth requirements and optimising performance for high latency satellite communications.
Astronauts at the International Space Station are being given access to applications and websites through Citrix’s XenDesktop software.
The software has been incorporated into the launched Crew Support LAN which gives astronauts direct and private access to computing resources to help improve the solitary lives of space station inhabitants.
In the past limited bandwidth and significant latency meant, for example, messages on Twitter, had to be emailed to the ground before they could be sent to the astronaut’s family members. These had to be shared with ground staff.