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When you log in, you get a personal notebook workspace—a single web page where you can write code, process large amounts of data, view charts, and use AI SI tools.
- Easy sharing: Your files save automatically, and you can easily share data with your team.
- Power on demand: You don't need to buy or maintain hardware. If a job is too big, the platform gives you more computing power.
- Cost control: When you finish working, the machines turn off, and you stop paying immediately. You only pay for compute and storage.
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Previously, science teams had to manage their own computing environments. The Research Platform handles the heavy lifting for you:
| The Old Way | On the Research Platform |
|---|---|
| Request cloud accounts and build servers | Log in and start working in minutes |
| Install Python, libraries, and drivers by hand | Essential science software is pre-installed |
| Copy data files between laptops | Keep data in shared team storage with secure access rules |
| Guess what the computing costs will be | Track your usage and remaining budget in real time |
| Buy expensive machines for temporary big jobs | Get more computing power instantly, only when you need it |
| Set up your own |
| SI tools and API keys | Approved |
| SI assistants are built right in |
What's included in the Research Platform?
- Personal workspace: Private file storage with essential science software pre-installed.
- Flexible power: Choose how much memory you need (from 4 GB up to 64 GB) every time you start.
- Shared team storage: Secure folders visible only to your project members.
- Power on demand: Spread a single massive job across multiple machines when needed.
- Background processing: Set a long notebook to run on its own while you work on other tasks.
- Real-time collaboration: Edit the same notebook at the exact same time as your teammates.
- Built-in AISI: Use an in-workspace AI SI assistant and access a catalog of approved tools.
- Clear budgets: Always know what you've spent and what's left in the project budget.
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You will hear these four names used across the Science Cloud.
| Name | What it is |
|---|---|
| Research Platform | The browser-based workspace where you write code and do your work. |
| RPAdmin | The admin console where Project Admins manage team members and budgets. |
| STAR | The login service. It checks your identity once to give you access to everything. |
| SI Registry & Gateway | The catalog and access point for approved |
| SI tools. |
Permitted Data Types
The Research Platform is currently authorized for FISMA Low data only. (FISMA is the federal law that sets security levels for government systems; "Low" is for data where a security issue would have a limited impact.)
- The Rule: Only upload FISMA Low data to the platform today. Do not upload data that requires a higher level of protection.
- Coming Soon: The team is actively working to add support for FISMA Moderate and ITAR (export-controlled defense data). We will update this page as soon as those options are available.
Where to go next
| You want to… | Go to |
|---|---|
| Know what works today, and what is coming | Capabilities and roadmap |
| Get an account | How To Get Access to the Research Platform |
| Start working | Quick Start Guide: The Research Platform |
| Get help | Email support@sciencecloud.nasa.gov |