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Why ISS Computers Failed

Posted by kdawson on from the triply-redundant-is-not-foolproof dept.

Geoffrey.landis writes "It was only a small news item four months ago: all three of the Russian computers that control the International Space Station failed shortly after the Space Shuttle brought up a new solar array. But why did they fail? James Oberg, writing in IEEE Spectrum, details the detective work that led to a diagnosis." The article has good insights into the role the ISS plays as a laboratory for US-Russian technology cooperation — something that is likely to be crucial in any manned Mars mission.

6 of 324 comments (clear)

  1. The REAL reason they failed by Rebelgecko · · Score: 5, Funny

    They "upgraded" to Vista.

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    CATS/Diebold '08- All your vote are belong to us!
    1. Re:The REAL reason they failed by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Clippy: It looks like you want to install a new solar array. Do you want help with that?

  2. They didn't bring the right travel adapters. by NotQuiteReal · · Score: 5, Funny

    Metric electricity vs Imperial electricity...

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    This issue is a bit more complicated than you think.
    1. Re:They didn't bring the right travel adapters. by Cassius+Corodes · · Score: 5, Funny

      Proletarian electricity refused to mix with bourgeoisie electricity.

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      Control is an illusion, order our comforting lie. From chaos, through chaos, into chaos we fly
  3. Hmmm by K.os023 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Could this be the one place where it would be appropriate to mention that in Russia, crashes compute?


    Or would that be "In Russia, crashes compute you!" ?

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    Ahhh, what an awful dream. Ones and zeroes everywhere... and I thought I saw a two.
  4. Re:Duct tape saves the day! by p00n0s · · Score: 5, Funny

    A person needs only three tools in life: WD-40, duct tape and a hammer. If it doesn't move and it should, use the WD-40. If it moves and it shouldn't, use the duct tape. If either doesn't work, use the hammer.