Role of High-End Computing in Meeting NASA’s Science and Engineering Challenges

Abstract

High-end computing (HEC) plays a major role in the modeling and simulation needs of NASA missions. Two years ago, NASA was on the verge of dramatically increasing its HEC capability and capacity. With the 10,240-processor supercomputer, Columbia, now in production impact within the Agency and extending to partner institutions. Ad simulations in space exploration, shuttle operations, Earth sciences, and fundamental aeronautics research are occurring on Columbia, demonstrating its ability to accelerate NASA's exploration vision. This talk describes how the integrated production environment fostered at the NASA Advanced Supercomputing WAS) facility at Ames Research Center is accelerating scientific discovery, achieving parametric analyses of multiple scenarios, and enhancing safety for NASA missions. We focus on Columbia's impact on two key engineering and science disciplines: Aerospace, and Climate. We also discuss future mission challenges and plans for NASA's next-generation HEC environment. (149 words) 8 months, HEC has an even greater d science and engineering