[Diy_efi] Ignition Stuff

[William Shurvinton]

When I quit space for telecomms the shuttle main computer was still core
based. A key reason for this was that IBM was the only subcontractor to
deliver on time, so they used what was space qualified in around 1974, i.e.
core. By the time the rest of the shuttle came together, technologies like
silicon on saphire were qualified for use, but it wasn't broken so they
didn't fix it.

Bill
----- Original Message -----
From: Dave Williams <ronin at aristotle.net>
To: <diy_efi at diy-efi.org>
Sent: Sunday, July 07, 2002 1:18 AM
Subject: Re: [Diy_efi] Ignition Stuff


> William Shurvinton wrote:
> >
> > Satellites were one area I worked where compromise was minimal.
Beryllium
> > and gold everywhere. Fiendishly expensive raychem wiring, but stone age
> > electronics.
>
>  Some of the systems on the Space Shuttle were still using magnetic
> cores, last I read.  They'll maintain their data even if power is lost,
> and laugh at conditions that would turn semiconductor memory back into
> sand.
>



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