NASA faces great challenges in building and deploying computers for its spacecraft. The performance capabilities of existing NASA spacecraft computers are discussed as well as ongoing NASA and Department of Defense programs to develop and deploy advanced spacecraft computers, and NASA's plans for space station computers. The time lag between the availability of computer technology on the ground and the use of that technology in space in 8 to 20 years, outdating computers even before they are launched into space. NASA is aware of this problem, but needs to test computers for reliability in harsh environments and select a computer early in the design process. Time lags also occur with unavoidable launching delays - of sometimes as much as several years. Shortening the time lag could significantly increase spacecraft capabilities for collecting scientific data and possibly decrease future mission costs. The report recommends that NASA's Administrator consider further strengthening the agency's ongoing activities by establishing an independent expert panel to determine if additional might be taken to shorten the process. Case studies of five missions are appended.
Space Operations: Nasa Efforts to Develop and Deploy Advanced Spacecraft Computers. Report to the Chairman, Subcommittee on Space Science and Applications, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, House of Representatives
1989
43 pages
Report
No indication
English