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Old 23-06-2021, 09:04 PM
gary
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Mt. Kuring-Gai
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pmrid View Post
The 1980s era computers on Hubble have always mystified me.
Hi Peter,

No, they are way older than that. The computer onboard the Hubble was designed in 1974.

It's fabricated out of custom radiation hardened medium scale integrated (MSI) chips and plated wire core memory.
So the memory pre-dates the widespread adoption of RAM chips.

It does have the neat advantage that it is non-volatile. Switch the power off and it retains its contents.

Also keep in mind that the Interdata Model 70 computer, which is a full-on 32-bit minicomputer from 1973,
which was controlling the Anglo Australian Telescope was only upgraded not that long ago in 2009. And that's here on Earth!
It also had core memory. The thing was controlling this giant telescope and just worked, so there was a reluctance to horse with it.

Image. The Interdata Model 70 that controlled the AAT between 1974 and 2009 :-
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