国际空间站为了使电脑操作系统更稳定和便于维护，逐渐从Windows切换到Linux操作系统。相对Windows，Linux的开放性，使得它可能更稳定，也更方便修补或者改良。

“We migrated key functions from Windows to Linux because we needed an operating system that was stable and reliable – one that would give us in-house control. So if we needed to patch, adjust or adapt, we could," said Keith Chuvala of the United Space Alliance, which runs opsLAN for NASA.

Linux is already used to run various systems aboard the ISS, including the world's first 'Robonaut', sent to the Space Station in 2011. 'R2' can be manipulated by astronauts as well as ground controllers and is designed to carry out tasks "too dangerous or mundane" for astronauts in microgravity, according to the Linux Foundation.

中国的科研领域，可能是最有可能推广普及Linux操作系统的场所，Linux所收到的关注也越来越多；但可能还不够。

延伸阅读：

• http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/10049444/International-Space-Station-to-boldly-go-with-Linux-over-Windows.html