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From: kim@mips.UUCP (Kim DeVaughn)
Newsgroups: net.columbia
Subject: Re: Launch On Schedule
Message-ID: <179@mips.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 26-Aug-85 13:35:07 EDT
Article-I.D.: mips.179
Posted: Mon Aug 26 13:35:07 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 28-Aug-85 10:56:58 EDT
References: <4200@alice.UUCP>
Organization: mips ... where RISC is a way of life
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> Everything is going smoothly in the Discovery's launch countdown.
> Launch is scheduled for 0838 EDT this mornig.  The weather outlook
> is excellent for the launch window.

Ah well, its not nice to fool (or predict) what Mother Nature has in
store (weekends seem to be especially prone to "reversals").

On the other hand, abort number two was due to YACM (yet another
computer malfunction).  I have no details of what happened, but I did
hear on the news that NASA has scheduled upgrades for the shuttles'
computer systems for ~1987.  Does anyone have any info on these new
machines?  Also, anyone know when the contracts were let (I don't
seem to remember hearing of any RPQ's), as that might provide a clue
on the technology we can expect to see?

The news story I saw said that NASA was "embarrassed" (that is the
word he used) by the number of aborts due to computer malfunctions;
anyone know the count?  (Of 20 missions, 10 have had aborts due to
ALL problems, according to the report.)  Anyway, I see little to be
embarrassed about given the complexity of the shuttle, high level of
technology of its component parts (at least at design time), severe
working environment(s), and limited Beta-test opportunities of the
entire machine.  I do hope that people with responsibility for "Star
Wars"/SDI are listening though .....   (please, no flames to _this_
net).

/kim

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