07-16-2003, 12:36 AM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,060
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Pocket PCs In Space
I've always thought that Pocket PCs were "out of this world," but soon that will be more than just a figure of speech.
"HP plans to launch its HP iPAQ [5550] Pocket PCs into outer space onboard TransOrbital's TrailBlazer spacecraft, the first commercial mission to gain approval from U.S. authorities to explore, photograph and land on the moon, later this year"
And what role, you ask, will the Pocket PCs play?
"The handheld device will integrate with the TrailBlazer systems on board the spacecraft to enable TransOrbital to effortlessly synchronize and share data while in space, during transit to the moon and while orbiting the moon."
Alright, I was okay with the idea until I saw the word "synchronize."  Seriously, I think this is pretty cool and represents a true recognition of the computing power of these devices. And, TrailBlazer will make even greater use of Pocket PCs on subsequent flights, on which they will provide wireless communication for cameras mounted outside the spacecraft.
I can't help but wonder, though...If these are unmanned flights, who's going to stick the stylus into the tiny hole to do the soft resets?
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07-16-2003, 01:20 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 199
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Kinda on the same subject - what kind of computers did they use on the Apollo missions? I've always wondered what kind or how poweful they were? Anybody have an idea?
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Chris Sterns
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07-16-2003, 01:52 AM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 541
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Synchronize? Uh oh.
"Houston, ActiveSync has a problem."
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07-16-2003, 01:52 AM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,264
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I would like to know what investor is dumb enough to have any part of a space mission rely on the stability of a PPC.
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07-16-2003, 01:58 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 192
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by csterns
Kinda on the same subject - what kind of computers did they use on the Apollo missions? I've always wondered what kind or how poweful they were? Anybody have an idea?
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A 74K custom computer...read more here:
http://www.abc.net.au/science/moon/computer.htm
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07-16-2003, 02:08 AM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,060
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Terry
A 74K custom computer...
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I had always known that even the simplest Pocket PC is much more powerful than the computers used to take Neil Armstrong et al. to the moon and back, but I never realized just how MUCH more powerful!
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07-16-2003, 02:41 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 137
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by sponge
"Houston, ActiveSync has a problem."
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Hahahahahaha.... crud.... now I've gotta clean coke out of another keyboard.... :rotfl:
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07-16-2003, 02:48 AM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 72
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GroundControl to iPAQ5550?.....
GroundControl: Transmit *Lock code value* 'Reset iPAQ'
iPAQ5550: Reset not responding - input fingerprint
GroundControl: Transmit *Lock code value* 'Hard Reset'
iPAQ5550: responding, HardReset complete!!
<ding-dong> 'MS PocketPC HP (invent)'
GroundControl: Transmit *Lock code value* 'Full Restore from SD'
iPAQ5550: User unidentified/unknown try again.
GroundControl: Transmit *Lock code value* RESTORE!!!!!!
iPAQ5550: User unidentified/unknown swipe finger
GroundControl: Swiping middle finger....
,-.
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\_______Gr
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07-16-2003, 02:52 AM
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,998
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Server: Looking at your avatar and reading this thread just makes me think:
IPAQ 5550: "What are you doing Dave?"
:mrgreen:
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07-16-2003, 03:18 AM
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Thinker
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 482
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Re: Pocket PCs In Space
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Brad Adrian
I can't help but wonder, though...If these are unmanned flights, who's going to stick the stylus into the tiny hole to do the soft resets?
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I couldn't help but laugh when I read that... So true.. So true... And syncing data with no one there to troubleshoot? I sure hope their using some more sturdy software than activesync... lol
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Linear Mode
