Computers and Space Exploration!

By: Riley, Mico, Hunter

Brief Overview

• Riley- Space race history computers•Mico- Present space exploration computers•Hunter- Special topic: Curiosity Mars rover systems

Space Exploration Back In The Day!

Sputnik

• 1950’s• USSR Space Program• Sputnik 1• Sputnik 2

The Apollo Missions

• America is awesome!• To the Moon!

Moon landing Issues

• Lots of math involved• Human error• Lives on the line• Computers offer a solution!

The AGC

• AGC= Apollo Guidance Computer• 1960’s Moon Landings• Unsophisticated computers• Special language designed by MIT• Converted into assembly language• Used punch cards• Most complex program of mission was 6Mb.• Smaller than PowerPoint• Most sophisticated program of it’s day

Space Exploration Today!

The Space Shuttle

• Cornerstone of manned spaceflight • Responsible for launching of satellites

IBM Ap-101

• 5 IBM 32-bit general purpose computers (Gpu’s)• 4 computers w/specialized software operations• Primary Avionics Software System (PASS)

• 1 extra computer running backup flight software

NASA aims for perfection

• Independent verification and validation• Highest achievable levels of cost effectiveness & safety • For mission critical software

Computing information and Communications Technology.• Develop technologies for:• Space and Aviation applications• Intelligent communications• Data gathering• Operational systems

Mars rover Curiosity

Rover mission

• Investigation of:• Martian Climate• Martian Geology

• Weather assessment• Environmental conditions• Favorable for Microbial life

• Planetary habitability

The Technology behind the rover

• Surprisingly Low numbers…• Two on board computers with:

• 256 kb of EEPROM• 256 MB of DRAM• 2 GB of flash memory

• Both are radiation hardened • One serves as backup

On board facilities

• On board Science Lab• Laser sensors• Transmits findings back to Earth

• Navigation Computer• Brand new surface exploration software

• This includes:• Sensor navigations • Inputs received from sensors• Computations• Where to move• Sample analysis

The End!

Questions?