Computers on the International Space Station (ISS) are indeed subject to the effects of time dilation, but the differences in their operation and proximity to significant gravitational fields mitigate the practical impacts of time dilation.
Time dilation arises from two main factors: relative motion and gravitational fields. Let's consider both aspects:
Relative Motion Time Dilation: The ISS orbits the Earth at a speed of about 28,000 kilometers per hour (17,500 miles per hour). According to the theory of special relativity, time dilation occurs when objects are moving relative to each other at significant fractions of the speed of light. However, the velocity of the ISS, while substantial, is not close enough to the speed of light for time dilation to have a noticeable effect on the computers' operation. The relative motion time dilation experienced by computers on the ISS is negligible.
Gravitational Time Dilation: Another factor in time dilation is the presence of gravitational fields. According to general relativity, clocks closer to massive objects run slower compared to clocks in weaker gravitational fields. While the Earth's gravity is weaker at the altitude of the ISS compared to the surface, the difference is not significant enough to cause noticeable time dilation effects on the computers. The difference in gravitational field strength between the Earth's surface and the altitude of the ISS is relatively small.
Therefore, while time dilation does affect the computers on the ISS to a small degree, the practical impacts on their operation are minimal. The computers' internal clocks may experience extremely tiny deviations compared to clocks on the surface, but these deviations are typically insignificant and can be corrected for through synchronization mechanisms.
It's worth noting that highly precise timekeeping devices, such as atomic clocks, are indeed affected by time dilation and require calibration and synchronization when used in space missions or other scenarios involving significant relative velocities or strong gravitational fields. However, for most practical purposes on the ISS, the effects of time dilation on computer operations are negligible and do not significantly impact their functionality.