Why ISS Computers Failed

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.

Comments

Re:The REAL reason they failed

[compulsiveguile]

Ha ha, that's kind of funny. Vista just doesn't get any breaks on this site... ever...

Re:A bit harsh on the Russians.

[Jehosephat2k]

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=5386-46-AD50USS&lpage=none

Re:The REAL reason they failed

[feepness]

Every discussion of Vista is FULL of astroturfers defending the OS, and they're always modded up. It's almost impossible to discuss its real flaws because of all the Microsoft-sponsored noise. Actually I like Vista and dislike XBox. What does that make me?

BZZZZZT!!!!

I mean I LIKE XBOX 360!!!!

BZZZZZT!!!!

I mean I LOVE XBOX 360!!!!

(I really don't like Xbox 360.) But I actually am quite happy with my purchase Vista after upgrading my computer one too many times for my, uh, borrowed, copy of XP.

Re:The REAL reason they failed

[Khuffie]

Do you have any proof of said Microsoft-sponsored astroturfers? Could it not be that there are people out there, who, oh, I don't know, actually LIKE an operating system that over 90% of computers use? It's hard to discuss anything Microsoft here, Vista or not, because of all the mindless bias most slashdotters have towards MS. You can find a flameware in any MS related thread (or non-MS related threads, as this one has proven).

Re:The REAL reason they failed

[turnipsatemybaby]

I think the big problem is the one word you used. "Honest". Microsoft to the computer industry is what the US is to the rest of the world.

You have no choice but to work with them because they're so damn big, but they got that way through myriad abuses that had managed to slip under the radar up till now. On the rare occasion they manage to achieve some good will, only to piss it away again by doing something even more greedy and self serving.

Microsoft has the reputation of making user-friendly but half-baked products, rife with security issues. But that pales in comparison to their hostile business practices.

A perfect example is Silverlight. It sounds like a nice competitor to Flash, especially if they do a good job of making it cross platform. But... it was released by Microsoft, so the first things you think are "Where are the bugs?" and "Once they get a foothold, are they going to keep updating the windows version and let the other versions fester?" Microsoft is synonymous with ulterior motives, and THAT is why no one gives them the time of day.

Re:The REAL reason they failed

[vertinox]

Why? Is defending a MS operating system for honest reasons impossible to believe anymore?

Why should someone defend any operating system for that matter?

I mean, no one at Microsoft has your personal well being in mind when the made the software. They made it to turn a profit. Same goes for Apple and I suppose Red Hat too. I don't see whey anyone should defend any corporation when the corporation shouldn't be deserving free positive publicity.

Unless you start slipping in dollars bills in my mail box I don't really see the need to defend a product other than, well this is why I use it or don't use it.

Personally, I think there is nothing wrong with Vista other than the fact that there is no need for it in my life. You are free to buy it, but I don't think it will do you any better than WinXP other than games that require Vista (and that is rather dubious).

Otherwise to defend a corporation's product who doesn't give a damn about you is silly which is why I could see that some people could automatically see anyone defending a product as astroturfers or shills.