The CCA has a significant internal data storage capacity and will collect scientific data from various systems on the ISS Columbus module to send it to ground-based data centers for further processing.
CCAs are, in fact, CompactPCI Serial systems: they consist of cards with various functions (CPU, memory, Ethernet switch, etc.) that can be assembled into custom computer systems according to customer specifications. In this particular case, Duagon uses the G028 CPU card, SSD storage with the G504 card, and a high-speed industrial Ethernet switch, among other components.
What makes this offering special is that each individual CompactPCI Serial card is encapsulated in its own metal housing. Packaged in this way, they connect to each other in a metal rack to form the complete system. The card housings are secured to the rack wall using wedge fasteners and transfer their waste heat to the main housing via their contact surfaces. Thanks to their large surface area, they can dissipate heat very quickly into the liquid cooling system, without the need for fans and without heating the air in the cabinet.
For use on the ISS, all CCA systems and components must be highly available, robust, and flight-replaceable. At the same time, they must be able to withstand the extreme environmental conditions encountered during flight and at the site of use. The virtually airtight system features vents to limit overpressure during external depressurization. Therefore, sealed CCAs are ideal for both space travel and other extreme applications, such as mining or oil drilling platforms.
Duagon will supply fewer than ten of these specialized systems. One will be used at an altitude of 400 km above Earth, on the International Space Station (ISS), while the others will remain on the ground for extensive testing.
