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> If for some reason touchscreen malfunctions, what options are left for the crew? First, the spacecraft is I believe fully automated. While there is the abili
by ncallaway 6y ago
> If for some reason touchscreen malfunctions, what options are left for the crew?
First, the spacecraft is I believe fully automated. While there is the ability to pilot the craft manually using onboard controls, my understanding is that is already considered a backup or unusual scenario.
As far as the touchscreens themselves, my understanding is there are four touchscreens total, and each can represent / control every aspect of the vehicle. So if a single touchscreen fails, the other 3 provide redundant access to necessary controls.
Finally, the dragon capsule does have manual (non-touchscreen) joystick controls for the critical flight controls.
So these systems have enough redundancy that a touchscreen failure should absolutely not jeopardize the flight.
- EvanAnderson 6y agoI wonder if the touchscreens are made of diverse hardware types and run by different programs running on different types of CPUs. If it's all common hardware and a common code-base then one in-common hardware or software failure could still take them all down.
- sxates 6y agoI know the space shuttle employed multiple redundant computers of differing hardware as failsafes. I can't imagine SpaceX didn't do the same thing.
- pbourke 6y agoThe redundant computers were only one part of it. The Space Shuttle software engineering capability was on another level. https://www.fastcompany.com/28121/they-write-right-stuff https://www.fastcompany.com/28121/they-write-right-stuff
- kens 6y agoFor redundancy, the Space Shuttle used five of the same computer (IBM AP-101). Four of them ran the same software, while the fifth ran independently-developed software in case a bug prevented the others from working.
- avmich 6y ago> Finally, the dragon capsule does have manual (non-touchscreen) joystick controls for the critical flight controls. Joysticks are better, though some convenient indication is also required (the "screen" part, not the "touch" part). I'm sure the designers saw questions like that; I'm just curious about details.