Embedded computer systems deployed to outer space have various constraints, such as data links to earth that are low bandwidth and high latency. Additional constraints require radiation hardening and supporting a large operating temperature range, which limit the processing power. Some systems have been returned to earth in working state, like the Apollo Guidance Computer, others are still functioning like the board computer of the Perseverance Mars rover. Some systems still exist but are no longer reachable, have burned down in the earth atmosphere, or crashed into other celestial bodies.
Background
edithttps://web.mit.edu/slava/space/introduction.htm
https://www.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/space/space_chronology.html
Lists
editSpacecraft | Computer | Picture | CPU | OS and other software | RAM | Flash | EEPROM | Location | Mission and launch date | Current state | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gemini Guidance Computer | |||||||||||
Saturn V | Launch Vehicle Digital Computer | ||||||||||
Apollo Command Module and Apollo Lunar Module[a] | Apollo Guidance Computer | ||||||||||
Starlink satellites[b] | |||||||||||
International Space Station | IBM ThinkPad 760XD | [4][5] | |||||||||
IBM ThinkPad A31p | |||||||||||
Lenovo ThinkPad T61p | |||||||||||
Apple iPad | |||||||||||
Microsoft HoloLens | |||||||||||
HP ZBook 15 | |||||||||||
Gallileo | Advanced Technology Airborne Computer | ||||||||||
Mir | |||||||||||
Cassini-Huygens | Attitude Control System | MIL-STD-1750A | 512kb | [6][7] | |||||||
Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster[c] | Power Electronics Module | Linux-based | [8] |
Computer (family) | Picture | Spacecraft | Computer model | CPU | RAM | Flash | EEPROM | Location | Mission and launch date | Current state | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IBM System/4 Pi | Space Shuttle | AP-101 | Low earth orbit | ||||||||
Skylab | TC-1 | Low earth orbit | |||||||||
MOL | Unknown | Low earth orbit | |||||||||
- Comparison of embedded computer systems on board the Mars rovers
- Launch Vehicle Digital Computer
- IBM System/4 Pi
- Starlink[9]
- International Space Station[10][11][12]
- Space Shuttle[13]
Failures and updates
editIn 2022, the MARSIS, which is running Windows 98, was updated.[14]
Mir[17]
Gallileo.[18]
Space Shuttle.[19]
http://edition.cnn.com/2001/TECH/space/04/25/shuttle.spacestation.02/index.html
Hubble Space Telescope § 2021 power control issue[20]
http://edition.cnn.com/2001/TECH/space/04/25/shuttle.spacestation.02/index.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/12/us/for-parts-nasa-boldly-goes-on-ebay.html
Stuff on Mars runs curl and more
New developments
editSee also
editNotes
editFurther reading
editReferences
edit- ^ Staff, Ars (2020-10-02). "Definitely not Windows 95: What operating systems keep things running in space?". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2022-05-06.
- ^ Leppinen, Hannu (October 2017). "Current use of linux in spacecraft flight software". IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine. 32 (10): 4–13. doi:10.1109/MAES.2017.160182. ISSN 1557-959X.
- ^ "Space exploration: The computers that power man's conquest of the stars". ZDNET. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
- ^ "IBM Archives: IBM ThinkPads in space". www.ibm.com. 2003-01-23. Retrieved 2022-11-25.
- ^ Heath, Nick (2016-05-23). "From Windows 10, Linux, iPads, iPhones to HoloLens: The tech astronauts use on the ISS". TechRepublic. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
- ^ "Rad-hard Air Force computer set for Cassini mission". www.militaryaerospace.com. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ Webster, Julie L. "Cassini Spacecraft Engineering Tutorial" (PDF).
- ^ "Tesla Roadster: Test Driving Your Electric Dream Car" (PDF). Ziff Davis Media. 30 March 2007.
- ^ "SpaceX: We've launched 32,000 Linux computers into space for Starlink internet". ZDNet. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
- ^ Heath, Nick (2016-05-23). "From Windows 10, Linux, iPads, iPhones to HoloLens: The tech astronauts use on the ISS". TechRepublic. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
- ^ Leyden, John. "Space station computers crash". www.theregister.com. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
- ^ Crothers, Brooke. "Computer network to be built in space". CNET. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
- ^ Lewis, Peter H. (1998-11-05). "Laptops on the Shuttle: Age Does Not Matter". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
- ^ "Software upgrade for 19-year-old martian water-spotter". www.esa.int. Retrieved 2022-06-28.
- ^ Tingley, Kim (2017-08-03). "The Loyal Engineers Steering NASA's Voyager Probes Across the Universe". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
- ^ Wenz, John (2015-10-29). "Why NASA Needs a Programmer Fluent In 60-Year-Old Code". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
- ^ "CNN - Mir 'normal' despite new computer failure - September 8, 1997". edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ Press, The Associated (1996-09-01). "Computer on Galileo Spacecraft Is Restored". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-12-07.
- ^ Broad, William J. (1983-12-09). "SHUTTLE PROGRAM COMPUTER FAILURES BEGAN ON FIRST TEST LANDING IN 1977". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ Quach, Katyanna. "Hubble Space Telescope may now depend on a computer that hasn't booted since 2009". The Register. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
- ^ "NASA has chosen these CPUs to power its next generation of spaceflight computers". ZDNET. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
- ^ Quach, Katyanna. "NASA wants a 100x upgrade for space computers". www.theregister.com. Retrieved 2022-11-23.