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Looks like. I expect because digital guidance was edge of the envelope in the 1960s. Only later did performance increase enough that space hardware could be co

by ethbro 7y ago

Looks like. I expect because digital guidance was edge of the envelope in the 1960s. Only later did performance increase enough that space hardware could be conservative. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer

Retric 7y ago
That had some creative editing. “The Apollo flight computer was the first computer to use integrated circuits (ICs).[citation needed]” The integrated circuit first won a place in the military market through programs such as the first computer using silicon chips for the Air Force in 1961 and the Minuteman Missile in 1962. It was very much cutting edge for the time, but not really more innovative than other similar examples.
dmitriid 7y ago
Space is very conservative due to its nature. Even (or especially) at the offset. When you mission planning and construction takes several years, you can’t just go in and swap parts for “cutting edge” and “best-of-breed”. Mission parameters are locked several years before the actual mission takes place and are based on tech that was considered safe, sound, and stable by the time parameters are locked. So, when the mission flies, you get 6-8 year old tech that flies in it. The combination of all the components is usually bigger than the sum of its parts (that is it could be pushing the envelope of what mankind can achieve), but it’s usually built on top of some very boring things.
- ethbro 7y ago
  I find that hard to square with the design of the Apollo guidance computer and associated software. In researching, it appears this was less true at the beginning of the space program, by necessity. It's fair to say that the Apollo guidance computer was revolutionary.
  - Retric 7y ago
    A lot of early computer work was classified. NASA was able to leverage this work which made evolutionary changes seem revolutionary. But, that’s simply because so many of the intermediary steps where hidden from public view. PS: The enigma cracking for example is very well known now. But, that’s a surprisingly recent revelation... After the end of World War II, the Allies sold captured Enigma machines, still widely considered secure, to developing countries. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enigma_machine https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enigma_machine. This meant keeping the machines that could crack these codes secret was important for decades.

by ethbro 7y ago

Retric 7y ago

That had some creative editing. “The Apollo flight computer was the first computer to use integrated circuits (ICs).[citation needed]” The integrated circuit first won a place in the military market through programs such as the first computer using silicon chips for the Air Force in 1961 and the Minuteman Missile in 1962. It was very much cutting edge for the time, but not really more innovative than other similar examples.

dmitriid 7y ago

Space is very conservative due to its nature. Even (or especially) at the offset. When you mission planning and construction takes several years, you can’t just go in and swap parts for “cutting edge” and “best-of-breed”. Mission parameters are locked several years before the actual mission takes place and are based on tech that was considered safe, sound, and stable by the time parameters are locked. So, when the mission flies, you get 6-8 year old tech that flies in it. The combination of all the components is usually bigger than the sum of its parts (that is it could be pushing the envelope of what mankind can achieve), but it’s usually built on top of some very boring things.

ethbro 7y ago
I find that hard to square with the design of the Apollo guidance computer and associated software. In researching, it appears this was less true at the beginning of the space program, by necessity. It's fair to say that the Apollo guidance computer was revolutionary.
- Retric 7y ago
  A lot of early computer work was classified. NASA was able to leverage this work which made evolutionary changes seem revolutionary. But, that’s simply because so many of the intermediary steps where hidden from public view. PS: The enigma cracking for example is very well known now. But, that’s a surprisingly recent revelation... After the end of World War II, the Allies sold captured Enigma machines, still widely considered secure, to developing countries. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enigma_machine https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enigma_machine. This meant keeping the machines that could crack these codes secret was important for decades.