June 21, 2007: Recent computer problems in the
International Space Station (ISS) generally ignored the fact that some of the
computers used up there are, technically, antiques (over 25 years old). The
U.S. Space Shuttle, for example, uses a special (hardened against radiation)
Intel 386 processor. That item was new twenty years ago. The Russians are using
computers developed for their old Mir space station, and adapted for use in the
ISS.
There is some more recent computer equipment in the
shuttle and the ISS, but this stuff still has to work the older gear. The
problem is that, for major technology projects like the shuttle or the ISS,
design details have to be "frozen" for a long time, so other components can be
completed, and made to work with the frozen items. You can upgrade stuff like
this, but that costs money. Many upgrades are not seen as important enough to
spend scarce resources on. After all, if the elderly computers are doing the
job, why bother with them? As more modern computers are installed, usually as
part of some new scientific experiment, or a new piece of equipment, it it gets
more difficult to get the new computers to work with the oldest ones. There are
speed and hardware compatibility issues. Getting replacement parts for the old
gear is difficult as well, because many of the components have not been made
for over a decade. Fortunately, there is eBay, which has provided a means to
obtain ancient parts for ancient computers. Sometimes you have to scrounge up
some ancient geeks who know how to repair stuff built using techniques that are
now obsolete. Eventually, it all becomes too much of a hassle, and large sums
of money have to be spent on new components. Or, as is the case with the Space
Shuttle, you retire the system, and its increasingly troublesome ancient
computers.
