Space Station Computers Partially Restored 158
Raver32 writes with the news that a partial restoration
of computer control was established on the International Space Station (ISS) Thursday. Systems controlling critical elements like navigation and life-support failed on Wednesday. "Flight controllers were able to re-establish some communication with the computers overnight, with Russian engineers working Thursday to restore the rest of the system, NASA space station flight director Holly Ridings said. The U.S. space agency and Russian officials are still trying to determine the cause of a failure affecting multiple computers in the Russian network ... Since an earlier failure on Monday, thrusters on the space shuttle Atlantis have been fired periodically to help maintain the station's position. The Russian and U.S. space agencies said they could extend Atlantis's mission by one or two days to fix the problem. In the worst-case scenario, NASA said the ISS crew members -- two Russians and an American -- may be evacuated from the station."
Re:ISS showing it's age (Score:2, Insightful)
Processor speed is irrelevant to whether or not a device is reliable, but having an older device suggests that the bugs
are more likely to be fixed or at least known by the staff. CPUs don't really wear out anyway.
No (Score:5, Insightful)