A European Space Agency Mars orbiter's radar instrument has been running on Windows 98 since 2003... it's only now getting an upgrade.
With the recent upgrade to a more modern software, the team expects to be able to improve the Mars Express orbiter's MARSIS radar instrument’s ability to send and receive signals, improve its on-board data processing and increase the amount and quality of science data sent to Earth.
They plan on using the upgraded instrument to explore the Martian southern polar region, where signs of liquid water had been detected at lower resolution.
And you thought your computer's software was outdated and running slow...
https://gizmodo.com/mars-express-spacec ... 1849114156
Suresh
Mars Orbiter Instrument Still Running on Windows 98
- Sureshks
- Posts: 1243
- Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2014 10:43 pm
- Real Name: Suresh Sreenivasan
- Location: Hopkins, MN
Mars Orbiter Instrument Still Running on Windows 98
Suresh Sreenivasan
B-SIG/FB/Metcalf Comm
Refr: AP 130mm GTX/SW 120mm/Borg 4"/Unitron 150 4"/Jason 2.25”
Dobs: ATM 16"/Orion 12”
Newts: Cave 8" RFT/Criterion RV6/Astroscan 4"/Orion 3.6" TCT
SNs: Meade 6"/Celestron 5.5"
SCTs: Celestron 9.25"/8”/B&L Criterion 4”
Maks: SW 7"/Quantum 4"/Meade 3.5” ETX
Cass: Vixen 8” VISAC/Simmons 4.5"
RC: MallinCam 10"
Sol: Lunt 80mm DS/PST
Bino: Vixen 12x80/Nikon 10x50
Mounts: CGX/EQ6r-Pro/AVX/GDPX/Porta II
B-SIG/FB/Metcalf Comm
Refr: AP 130mm GTX/SW 120mm/Borg 4"/Unitron 150 4"/Jason 2.25”
Dobs: ATM 16"/Orion 12”
Newts: Cave 8" RFT/Criterion RV6/Astroscan 4"/Orion 3.6" TCT
SNs: Meade 6"/Celestron 5.5"
SCTs: Celestron 9.25"/8”/B&L Criterion 4”
Maks: SW 7"/Quantum 4"/Meade 3.5” ETX
Cass: Vixen 8” VISAC/Simmons 4.5"
RC: MallinCam 10"
Sol: Lunt 80mm DS/PST
Bino: Vixen 12x80/Nikon 10x50
Mounts: CGX/EQ6r-Pro/AVX/GDPX/Porta II
- Deane Clark
- Posts: 2462
- Joined: Wed May 19, 2004 11:38 pm
- Location: Mpls
Re: Mars Orbiter Instrument Still Running on Windows 98
Good thing there's no internet access on Mars
Deane Clark
Eagle Lake Observatory keyholder
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I can quit any time I want. I just don't want to.
www.aponon.org
Eagle Lake Observatory keyholder
------------------------
I can quit any time I want. I just don't want to.
www.aponon.org
- wmaalouli
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2021 2:58 pm
- Real Name: Walid Maalouli
Re: Mars Orbiter Instrument Still Running on Windows 98
It's not running on Win 98, but rather the software was developed using a toolset on Win 98. Upgrading here simply means retooling for a modern OS. Can you imagine how wasteful and impractical it would have been had the spacecraft been equipped with the necessary computer hardware to actually run Win 98? Not to mention the number of blue screen of death you would have had to deal with over 19 years
Incidentally, it is really annoying to try to read anything on sites like Gizmondo and its ilk with all the ads and pop ups. Not to mention that the title was incredibly misleading.
Incidentally, it is really annoying to try to read anything on sites like Gizmondo and its ilk with all the ads and pop ups. Not to mention that the title was incredibly misleading.
Telescopes: Orion XTg-8 dobsonian, Meade Mini Lightbridge 114 reflector, Meade ETX-70,80 and 90
Binoculars: Celestron 15x70
Binoculars: Celestron 15x70
- Dick Jacobson
- Posts: 1401
- Joined: Fri Jun 04, 2004 9:21 pm
- Location: Cottage Grove, MN
Re: Mars Orbiter Instrument Still Running on Windows 98
Space agencies are extremely cautious about upgrading software, since there is always a possibility of introducing new bugs that are worse than the original deficiencies. The software for the Space Shuttle had bugs, but it was decided to live with them rather than introduce possibly fatal errors in an upgrade. It was impossible to fly and land the Shuttle without computer assistance.
30-inch homemade Newtonian with periscope
20-inch homemade equatorial Newtonian with periscope
14-inch homemade equatorial Newtonian
10-inch Newtonian that folds flat
6-inch Russian Maksutov-Newtonian on Vixen equatorial mount
Too many small scopes and binoculars to mention
20-inch homemade equatorial Newtonian with periscope
14-inch homemade equatorial Newtonian
10-inch Newtonian that folds flat
6-inch Russian Maksutov-Newtonian on Vixen equatorial mount
Too many small scopes and binoculars to mention
- wmaalouli
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2021 2:58 pm
- Real Name: Walid Maalouli
Re: Mars Orbiter Instrument Still Running on Windows 98
I did land the shuttle with the seat of my pants once using the Microsoft Space Simulator
https://youtu.be/yG_0m2sPI18
https://youtu.be/yG_0m2sPI18
Telescopes: Orion XTg-8 dobsonian, Meade Mini Lightbridge 114 reflector, Meade ETX-70,80 and 90
Binoculars: Celestron 15x70
Binoculars: Celestron 15x70