An Astronaut's View of Space Station Tech

An anonymous reader writes "Here's a chat with a NASA astronaut about how they fix system outages on board the International Space Station, what kind of computing tech they use on board, and how he would like to see the iPad used on the ISS." He talks about using 5 year old laptops because they had been tested to handle the stresses of space travel, as well as the importance of being able to read emails and send pictures to family while aboard a space station for months at a time.

Floating variable

[digitaldc]

"We use foot loops that allow us to park our feet - if you put a finger on the computer and you don't have something to restrain you, you can float away," Anderson said.

Apparently, this isn't just an Earthly problem. Some of my colleagues desperately need foot restraints to keep them from gravitating to the coffee break room.

Re:IPAD vs Laptop

[ZERO1ZERO]

Of course, by wimpy I mean, wonky. Damn iPhone autocorrect.

Running Windows...

[Sockatume]

Ground control to Major Tom, defragging disk and antivirus on...

HAL!

[falldeaf]

One of the biggest worries that we have with our computer system on board is malicious software and virus attacks," Anderson said.

I'm sad that astronauts are running windows... I thought for sure some type of HAL like AI was their OS on the freaking *space* station... or at least linux :P

Re:GPS?

[jeffmeden]

3:55:01pm (Foursquare) AstroTom has checked in at Chicago's Miracle mile!

3:55:51pm (Foursquare) AstroTom has checked in at The Cleveland Zoo!

3:56:31pm (Foursquare) AstroTom has checked in at Times Square!

Well ...

[Stooshie]

... I suppose it is only Macs that connect to ailien space ships. I wonder if that's true of iPads as well.

Re:IPAD vs Laptop

[c6gunner]

I assume this is so you can't put your Tomtom in a SCUD missile.

Right, because everyone wants a SCUD that's constantly making U-turns and going down dead-end streets!

Re:IPAD vs Laptop

[Hylandr]

Me: "TomTom, course to Orbit Earth"
TomTom:Turn Left,
...Turn Left,
...Turn Left,


- Dan.

Re:Running Windows...

[K. S. Kyosuke]

It's difficult to update your windows in space; you could lose all your oxygen.