Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!husc6!rutgers!ucsd!ucbvax!hplabs!pyramid!schamp
From: schamp@pyrglass (Craig Schamp)
Newsgroups: comp.misc
Subject: Re: Core memory
Summary: space shuttle memories
Message-ID: <31723@pyramid.pyramid.com>
Date: 18 Jul 88 23:14:25 GMT
Sender: daemon@pyramid.pyramid.com
Reply-To: schamp@pyrglass.UUCP (Craig Schamp)
Organization: Pyramid Technology Corp., Mountain View, CA
Lines: 27

In article <458@buengc.BU.EDU> you write:
>In article <1010@garth.UUCP> smryan@garth.UUCP (Steven Ryan) writes:
>>
>>... Last I heard, the Shuttle memories are cores. A core memory
>>can retain its information for hours, weeks, or years without any power.
>
>You are kidding, aren't you?  core is the lowest-density recording
>medium since paper tape.  The shuttle would use bubbles for nonvolatile,
>read-write memory, I would hope.  Even EEROM, which must be in the
>system somewhere...  Not even NASA would be 15 years behind on
>technology... ;-)
>
>				--Blair

I recall reading in a magazine (Communications of the ACM?) a few years
ago that the Shuttle does in fact have core memory in its 5-redundant
computer system.  The on-board computers were built by IBM Federal Systems.
Remember that the Space Shuttle was being designed some 15 or more years ago.
Also, it seems to me that in space-based and defense applications, reliability
counts more than "high-technology for technology's sake".

---
Craig Schamp
Pyramid Technology Corporation                  (415) 965-7200 x4550
1295 Charleston Rd, Mountain View, CA 94043     schamp@pyramid.com
{allegra,ames,decwrl,hplabs,munnari,sun,uunet,utai}!pyramid!schamp
= Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of my employer. =