karn@eagle.UUCP (05/25/83)
Such a processor for Spacelab is probably quite appropriate. Many of the usual problems facing spacecraft computers go away when used on the Shuttle: Radiation hardening - the low orbit, short mission and thick shuttle walls minimize radiation damage. Power consumption - the multi-kilowatt fuel cells and the short mission duration allow you to use technologies other than CMOS. Reliability - the short mission duration and the availability of human repairmen and possibly spare parts make this less critical. Also, since the safety of the shuttle and its crew isn't at stake, you can afford to be less conservative. What we're beginning to see is the Shuttle's "indirect" payoff - the ability to cost reduce payloads and save on overall mission costs. There has been very little opportunity as yet for this to happen. Phil Karn