Comments on: Problems still dogging the space station http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/06/15/problems-still-dogging-the-space-station/ I am an astronomer, writer, and skeptic. I likes reality the way it is, and I aims to keep it that way. My real name is Phil Plait, and I run the Bad Astronomy blog. Sat, 10 Jan 2009 04:40:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Astrolink [Global Edition] » SpaceX flight review, and my own near-sightedness | Latest astronomy news in 11 languages http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/06/15/problems-still-dogging-the-space-station/#comment-38583 Astrolink [Global Edition] » SpaceX flight review, and my own near-sightedness | Latest astronomy news in 11 languages Mon, 18 Jun 2007 03:23:07 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/06/15/problems-still-dogging-the-space-station/#comment-38583 [...] to compare launching a rocket into orbit versus building a complex space station, but… the latest fiasco aboard the ISS does bring this all into stark [...] […] to compare launching a rocket into orbit versus building a complex space station, but… the latest fiasco aboard the ISS does bring this all into stark […]

]]> By: gopher65 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/06/15/problems-still-dogging-the-space-station/#comment-38582 gopher65 Sat, 16 Jun 2007 14:36:41 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/06/15/problems-still-dogging-the-space-station/#comment-38582 The human body has many single points of failure. But it was designed by an idiot. Or random chance. Take your pick. The human body has many single points of failure. But it was designed by an idiot. Or random chance. Take your pick.

]]> By: VK http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/06/15/problems-still-dogging-the-space-station/#comment-38581 VK Sat, 16 Jun 2007 14:00:28 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/06/15/problems-still-dogging-the-space-station/#comment-38581 In any system as complex as the ISS, regardless of how much redundancy has been built in, there will always be single points of failure. (Heck, even the human body has them; viz. the Vulcan neck pinch.) You can only try to catch them before they fail, and figure out workarounds. Going by some consequential NASA examples (oxygen-rich crew cabins, exploding stirrers, cold O-rings, imperial units, foam abrasion), this one is seems rather benign. In any system as complex as the ISS, regardless of how much redundancy has been built in, there will always be single points of failure. (Heck, even the human body has them; viz. the Vulcan neck pinch.) You can only try to catch them before they fail, and figure out workarounds. Going by some consequential NASA examples (oxygen-rich crew cabins, exploding stirrers, cold O-rings, imperial units, foam abrasion), this one is seems rather benign.

]]> By: Matthew Ota http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/06/15/problems-still-dogging-the-space-station/#comment-38580 Matthew Ota Sat, 16 Jun 2007 08:46:04 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/06/15/problems-still-dogging-the-space-station/#comment-38580 Well the computers are now back online, everything is A-OK now. As far as systems engineering goes, the computer systems onboard are notoriously "obsolete" by computer geek standards. But what most people do not realize is that the computer hardware onboard spacecraft work in an environment that has a higher flux of ionizing radiation. Modern computer chips are not engineered for use in these environments and would require expensive design and testing in order to work reliably. As well informed as Jim Oberg is, another science writer had more detailed information on the crisis as is was happening. Alan Boyles Cosmic Blog on MSNBC has more information on the computer hardware and software: http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/06/14/226502.aspx Matthew Ota Well the computers are now back online, everything is A-OK now.

As far as systems engineering goes, the computer systems onboard are notoriously “obsolete” by computer geek standards.

But what most people do not realize is that the computer hardware onboard spacecraft work in an environment that has a higher flux of ionizing radiation. Modern computer chips are not engineered for use in these environments and would require expensive design and testing in order to work reliably.

As well informed as Jim Oberg is, another science writer had more detailed information on the crisis as is was happening. Alan Boyles Cosmic Blog on MSNBC has more information on the computer hardware and software:

http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/06/14/226502.aspx

Matthew Ota

]]> By: SLC http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/06/15/problems-still-dogging-the-space-station/#comment-38579 SLC Sat, 16 Jun 2007 03:17:17 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/06/15/problems-still-dogging-the-space-station/#comment-38579 A comment on the ISS from Bob Park, the man who doesn't know what he's talking about. 2. CONSTRUCTION: WHY NOT JUST DECLARE THE ISS "FINISHED?" Today was supposed to be the day astronauts would stitch up a rip in a thermal blanket that tore on launch. Atlantis is docked at the ISS on a 13-day construction mission to install new segments of solar panels to enhance the energy supply in preparation for Europe's Columbus module which is supposed to join the ISS later this year. Plans changed when three Russian computers crashed. The computers maintain orientation of the ISS and control oxygen levels. The Russians think electrical noise from the new solar panels is to blame. They did what you and I would do, they rebooted, but the computers re-crashed. We all have days like this with our computers. In space it leads to scary talk about abandoning the ISS A comment on the ISS from Bob Park, the man who doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

2. CONSTRUCTION: WHY NOT JUST DECLARE THE ISS “FINISHED?”
Today was supposed to be the day astronauts would stitch up a rip in a thermal blanket that tore on launch. Atlantis is docked at the ISS on a 13-day construction mission to install new segments of solar panels to enhance the energy supply in preparation for Europe’s Columbus module which is supposed to join the ISS later this year. Plans changed when three Russian computers crashed. The computers maintain orientation of the ISS and control oxygen levels. The Russians think electrical noise from the new solar panels is to blame. They did what you and I would do, they rebooted, but the computers re-crashed. We all have days like this with our computers. In space it leads to scary talk about abandoning the ISS

]]> By: gopher65 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/06/15/problems-still-dogging-the-space-station/#comment-38578 gopher65 Fri, 15 Jun 2007 22:28:57 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/06/15/problems-still-dogging-the-space-station/#comment-38578 Let's just hope the secondary subprocesser doesn't get hit by Kason weapons fire 0_0. Then the self destruct will go offline, and the station will be completely screwed. Let’s just hope the secondary subprocesser doesn’t get hit by Kason weapons fire 0_0. Then the self destruct will go offline, and the station will be completely screwed.

]]> By: Sean O'Hara http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/06/15/problems-still-dogging-the-space-station/#comment-38577 Sean O'Hara Fri, 15 Jun 2007 20:54:56 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/06/15/problems-still-dogging-the-space-station/#comment-38577 Single point of failure? Sounds like the system was designed by Star Fleet. I wonder if the computers sprayed sparks in the air when the problem started, and the main lights went out and were replaced by ominous red ones? Single point of failure? Sounds like the system was designed by Star Fleet. I wonder if the computers sprayed sparks in the air when the problem started, and the main lights went out and were replaced by ominous red ones?

]]>