eugene@eos.UUCP (Eugene Miya) (10/12/88)
I'm reading a few of these incorrect questions while waiting for our ETA-10
to finish (thank got for multiple windows).
No: the Shuttle Computer aren't 360s, not even close. The machines used
in air traffic control are closer (Pi machines). I long for the day
when they decide to scrap them. Galileo was forced to go to "sophisticated"
CCDs because they stopped making Vidicons(tm) (left over from Ranger).
I just hope for a minimum of casualities if one is to blame, but then
no one at HQ listens to me any more (well I still have a few friends there).
I have a HAL/S manual on my desk as a reminder where I could have worked.
There are also HAL/G systems as well (you don't want to learn this).
Technically as far as NASA goes, the Shuttle lands at Dryden (part
of Ames). If you understand the layout Edwards has row upon row of hangers
(like car garages). As far as the world is concern it lands at Edwards.
Edwards has the PO Box (this is what appears important). We have a plane
which shuttles workers back and forth on Tu/Th. You are not allowed
to photograph the flight line. Oh, yes I saw the remaining F-20, neat!
The typical EAFB plane is the F-4 (row upon row). Lots of F-15/16s.
We have 2 of each. We also have a couple of F-111s, a B-52, half a
dozen T-38s (also many USAF), and a host of weird planes like the HiMAT,
the M2, etc. (An X-1 is in the parking lot). There's about 3-4
small buildings. Computing is basically on an ELXSI (4 PEs). Some
Gould (MPX) CPUs for realtime like the X-29A (2, also down there).
Some Xerox Stars. I think they have the best gift shop of all the
Centers I've been (some expensive models for your desk top).
Another gross generalization from
--eugene miya, NASA Ames Research Center, eugene@aurora.arc.nasa.gov
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