For any aviators out there that think their cockpit is complicated. Click.
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For any aviators out there that think their cockpit is complicated. Click.
And it is amazing to think that all that was accomplished using the screaming power of IBM's z-80 chip. This pre-dated the 286, 386, 486, pentium, and all the rest that we now use.Quote:
Originally Posted by Grumpy John
It was from around the time of the Apple II or just before, and had less processing power than a 10 year old Casio watch.
The Space shuttles used Z-80 chips right through until they were retired recently.
...... and you thought you needed a new computer ...................................:U
"What's this button do?"
If you've had a good look around the cockpit you'll notice some white bags/containers, on the right they're numbered 1,2,3 on the left they're numbered 5,6,7,4. Is this one of those floating point processor bugs :p. What are those bags for anyway, are they parachutes :roll:?Quote:
Originally Posted by Scribbly Gum
Jeez, you'd think they could afford something a little more comfy than those Russian-style seats (complete with fart escape slot)! I s'pose it doesn't matter much once you're weightless, but during take off.....
Wheres the auto pilot button
they're not parachutesQuote:
Originally Posted by Grumpy John
once the blue touch paper is lit, there's really only two options for the shuttle occupants, go up or blow up.
it's only after the boosters cut out that you have options, and by then you're too high and going too fast to just open the door and step out.
The test pilot astronaunts on the original (two?) test flights had parachutes as an option in the even of an uncontrolled ditching or landing. But IIRC NASA soon realised that they were only there as a physiological prop.
I heard that even till the end they were buying old CPU's, memory and hercules video cards on ebay to keep them running. Couldn't get new ones anywhere.
you don't need one, gravity is your automatic auto-pilotQuote:
Originally Posted by Jim Carroll
So where are the throttles, or does it glide to earth?
It glides after the initial de-orbit burn, pretty much like a hypersonic brick.
The on-board computer does all of the work, especially the tricky stuff at the start when the orbiter's speed is mach 25 (30,000km/h).
Love the link GJ :2tsup:..having been involved in various flying things over the years...My cockpit controls now consist of two pieces of red string..Quote:
Originally Posted by Grumpy John
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vp0yzvKbvc]Johncam - beach paragliding - YouTube[/ame]
:oo::C Fantastic. I doubt my feet would let me step off the cliff though! :doh:Quote:
Originally Posted by underfoot
My know all partner wants to set you right. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Scribbly Gum
At the risk of correcting the forum
The Z80 chip was and 8-bit CPU made by Zilog not IBM and clocked at 4-6Mhz has much more power than a casio wristwatch clocked at 32,768Hz.
The Hercules Video Card was an IBM-PC video card only capable of producing monochrome whereas these displays are clearly colour.
This video card plugs into an ISA slot which is the original IBM PC 8 bit bus.
The main engine controllers were based on Honeywell HDC-601s, 2 per engine for redundancy for 3 engines making 6 in total.
These are responsible for fuel sequencing, firing and pointing
Again these are 16bit machines
ignoring your feet 101... is the first thing you learn in getting your flying ticket..Quote:
Originally Posted by tea lady
He's only trying to impress you:rolleyes:......(with his rediculously impressive general knowledge):2tsup:Quote:
Originally Posted by tea lady
NTDWA..(Nothing To Do With Anything)...One of the demonstrators at turnfest was J Paul Fennel..(amazing turner, thoroughly nice bloke) was also a rocket scientist on most of the Apollo missions....
Talk about earning 'cred'.....if he talked about anything ..(chisels, sandpaper,relationships, etc) you'd listen