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NASA Testing Linux-Based Exploration Robots

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the penguinnnnnss-innnnn-spaaaace dept.

SeenOnSlash.com writes "This week NASA is testing a Linux-based lunar rover called K-10 in the Arizona desert. To cut costs and promote maintainability the K-10 runs Linux and uses commercial off-the-shelf parts where possible. The robot rover's control and communications system is based on an IBM Thinkpad X31 and attaches to subsystems with standard PC interfaces. Real-time tasks such as fine-grained motor control are offloaded to a distributed network of microcontroller-powered control boards. Maneuvers can be watched through a live webcam."

9 of 137 comments (clear)

  1. Linux in space by product+byproduct · · Score: 5, Funny

    Does it include a copy of the GPL? Aliens need to know that they are entitled to the source code if they find the probe.

    1. Re:Linux in space by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Well, the little bastards didn't seem to need a license for the last probe they gave me :-(

  2. Awesome! by Si · · Score: 5, Funny

    But does it run li... oh.

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  3. Obligatory... by DittoBox · · Score: 4, Funny

    But, does it run Windows?

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    Good. Cheap. Fast. Pick Two.
  4. OTS by faqmaster · · Score: 5, Funny
    Off the shelf parts are prolly fine for the Arizona desert. For two years of hard radiation bombardment then two plus years of -100 C and a constant coating of fine dust - not so much. Linux, on the other hand, thanks to its GPL code should have no problem in space. Just
    insmod hard-rad-i386-0.16
    and then
    modprobe cryo-chillin-i386-0.9
    and it should be fine. Also, don't forget to update crontab with
    10 4 1 * * /root/scripts/dustoff.sh >> /dev/null 2>&1
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  5. More importantly... by StressGuy · · Score: 4, Funny

    Will SCO go to Mars to support their IP rights?

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    A goal is a dream with a deadline
    1. Re:More importantly... by networkBoy · · Score: 4, Funny

      Hopefully :-)

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  6. Moo by Chacham · · Score: 5, Funny

    In other news, Richard Stallman slammed NASA for using GPL code, but not allowing everyone to pilot the robot or go on space mission.

    In a statement released today, NASA has responded by offering to send Stallman to Mars.

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    Have you read my journal today?
  7. Re:Of course there is by Have+Blue · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yeah, it's great that you can tweak your makefile to shave a few extra grams off the kernel here and there.