Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!decvax!microsof!uw-beaver!cornell!vax135!ariel!hou5f!hou5b!hou5c!hou5e!hou5a!hou5d!hogpc!houxm!mhuxa!mhuxi!mhuxt!eagle!karn
From: karn@eagle.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.columbia
Subject: Re: 8086 Processor for Spacelab?
Message-ID: <966@eagle.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 25-May-83 16:15:04 EDT
Article-I.D.: eagle.966
Posted: Wed May 25 16:15:04 1983
Date-Received: Sun, 29-May-83 09:30:34 EDT
References: amd70.2309
Lines: 20

Such a processor for Spacelab is probably quite appropriate.  Many of
the usual problems facing spacecraft computers go away when used on the
Shuttle:

Radiation hardening - the low orbit, short mission and thick
shuttle walls minimize radiation damage.

Power consumption - the multi-kilowatt fuel cells and the short mission
duration allow you to use technologies other than CMOS.

Reliability - the short mission duration and the availability of human
repairmen and possibly spare parts make this less critical.  Also, since
the safety of the shuttle and its crew isn't at stake, you can afford
to be less conservative.

What we're beginning to see is the Shuttle's "indirect" payoff - the
ability to cost reduce payloads and save on overall mission costs.
There has been very little opportunity as yet for this to happen.

Phil Karn