And this is a bad thing? Older computers are more resistant to radiation, and any quirks are very well-known. Steel and aluminum may be "primitive", but once again, it is well-known how they behave under almost any conditions.
Technologies that were exotic in the 1960's-1970's have had a lot of time to mature since the shuttle fleet was built. While it may not be the Athlon 64, the Government is starting to manufacture
Radiation Hard Pentiums. Personally I would be much happier with a updated fleet of space vehicles with technology from the 1990's rather than from the 1970's. As I understand it, it is the cost per pound to lift something in to orbit seems to be a major expense. Hopefully a newer fleet built out of new materials would mean a more efficient system.
A very amusing story. It not that unbelievable, but I don't think it is quite true. I recived a Fisher Space Pen for a gift and it had a short history in it. I belive it said that the pen and design was given to Nasa pretty much free of charge. Of course who knows what they paid for before this pen was created. This link will tell a bit of the history: http://spaceflightnow.com/store/collectibles/penas tro.html
Slashdot Mirror
A very amusing story. It not that unbelievable, but I don't think it is quite true. I recived a Fisher Space Pen for a gift and it had a short history in it. I belive it said that the pen and design was given to Nasa pretty much free of charge. Of course who knows what they paid for before this pen was created. This link will tell a bit of the history: http://spaceflightnow.com/store/collectibles/penas tro.html
If it was a joke wouldn't this movie be an 'Ape-ly Tool'?
Yeah, Who knows what whould happen when a butterfly flaps it wings in Cydonia!