The Space Shuttle had four main computers, known as the General Purpose Computers (GPCs). Each GPC was housed in a Control and Display (C&D) panel within the Flight Deck, and had 64 kilobytes (KB) of RAM and 768 KB of Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM).
In addition to the four primary GPCs, each Space Shuttle also had six dedicated Auxiliary Computer/Uninterruptible Power Supplies (AC/UPSs) for control of the Auxiliary Power Units (APUs). Each AC/UPS was equipped with a Motorola 6809E 9-bit microprocessor, 4 KB of RAM and 512 KB of EEPROM memory.
Total RAM then was 288 KB.
How much RAM did it take to go to the moon?
The Apollo 11 spacecraft, which was the first mission to take humans to the moon, was powered by two IBM computers that shared 60,000 bytes of RAM (Random Access Memory). This was not a great amount of RAM compared to computers today.
However, for the 1960s, it was considered a large amount of RAM due to the limited engineering capabilities of the era.
The Apollo 11’s guidance computer used 17,000 bytes of RAM to store software vital for its mission. This software was used to do several tasks such as calculate the landing trajectory of the spacecraft and store the flight plan.
The computer’s 36,000 bytes of RAM was used to store long-term memories such as tables of space values, constants and calculations used by the onboard computers.
In comparison, modern day smartphones typically have anywhere from 2 GB (gigabytes) to 8 GB of RAM. So, while 60,000 bytes of RAM may have been enough to help get humankind to the moon, it would barely be enough to make a dent in a modern day device.
How powerful was the computer on Apollo 11?
The computer on Apollo 11 was quite powerful for its time as it had to be able to process data at a very rapid pace to manage the complexity of the mission. It was a pioneering early model of what has become the modern computer, the Block II Apollo Guidance Computer.
This primitive computer was capable of performing 64,000 instructions per second, with a total memory of just 4 Kilobytes (compared to the gigabytes of memory usually found in contemporary computers).
This may not sound like a lot today, but it was revolutionary at the time.
It was essential that the computer function at such a high rate of speed, as the processes of getting to and from the moon required complex calculations that had to be completed on a real-time basis.
The computer played a central role in the guidance, navigation, and control of the spacecraft, eventually providing the results that enabled the Apollo 11 mission to be a success.
What had 4 kb of RAM in 1969?
The iconic Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC), first put into use in 1969, is perhaps one of the most famous instances of a system with only 4Kb of RAM. The AGC was developed by MIT as the main computer of the Apollo Guidance System.
It was a successful example of a limited capacity computer, running at 0.043MHz and having only 4Kb of RAM. Despite its minimal specifications, the AGC was sophisticated enough to support the development of groundbreaking software, such as the Apollo 11 Guidance and Navigation code written by Margaret Hamilton and her MIT team.
This code enabled the safe landing of the first humans on the Moon in 1969. The AGC was so successful that it caused a paradigm shift in general-purpose computing, which had previously relied on bulky systems with limited storage capacity.
Is 4 KB of RAM good?
It depends on what you’re using it for. 4KB of RAM is a very small amount, and would be inadequate for running most modern software applications (such as games or office programs). However, 4KB could be enough RAM for some very basic tasks, such as running an embedded system or controlling a small number of components in a project.
Additionally, 4KB might be suitable for very resource limited devices, such as a microcontroller or some small single board computers. For most other applications though, 4KB of RAM won’t be adequate and you would need to look at increasing the RAM size.
How did NASA go to the moon with 4KB RAM?
In the 1960s, when NASA was preparing for the Apollo program, 4KB was indeed the amount of RAM their computers had. While this may seem incredibly small for today’s standards given the complexity of a mission like a moon landing, NASA had engineers who found innovative ways to make this amount of RAM work.
To start with, the computers used on the Apollo missions were very specialized integrated circuits – unlike the traditional machines made of many interconnected components. This significantly reduced the amount of memory needed, as well as the wiring and power requirements.
NASA also employed a number of clever software techniques to manage the limited RAM. One of the most important was using symbolic assembly language – a type of program which removed the need to store data in memory, allowing the limited RAM to be used more effectively.
NASA also used code written in such a way that it gave priority to computer functions which were crucial for the mission, such as guidance and control – again allowing the limited RAM to be used optimally.
In combination, these techniques allowed NASA to manage their 4KB RAM to successfully land humans on the moon in one of the most ambitious space missions ever achieved.
How powerful were NASA computers in 1969?
The computers used by NASA in 1969 were considered very powerful for the time. The most powerful computer at the time was the IBM mainframe, used by NASA to give the Apollo 11 mission its first successful automated landing on the moon.
The IBM mainframe was an impressive machine, with a maximum speed of 50,000 operations per second, coupled with 32K of memory, 8-bit word size, and a cycle time of 0.3 milliseconds. This gave NASA incredible computing power during the Apollo 11 mission, as well as many other computing needs.
Other computers used by NASA in 1969 included the Digital Equipment Corporation PDP-8 and the Honeywell 600. These computers featured similar speeds, word sizes, and memory capacities but were less powerful than that of the IBM mainframe.
Despite this, they still gave NASA incredible computing power for the time that was able to solve its tasks with relative ease.
How many GB of RAM is overkill?
The amount of RAM that is considered to be overkill is something that varies based on different factors, such as the use case that it’s being used for and the hardware components it will be paired with.
While 8GB is generally more than enough for a standard day-to-day computer user, those who are performing more intensive tasks such as gaming or graphic design may benefit from 16GB of RAM or more. For video-editing, CAD designs, Data processing, or server hosting, 32GB of RAM or more may be necessary.
Ultimately, the amount of RAM that is considered overkill will be largely dependent on the use case and the rest of the system’s hardware.
Is 1 KB a lot?
No, 1 KB (kilobyte) is not a lot. In comparison, 1 MB (megabyte) is 1000 times larger than 1 KB. In modern computers, 1 KB is a very small amount of data as many applications and files require much more than 1 KB to operate.
For instance, a typical image file may be anywhere between 1 MB and 30 MB and a single video file could easily require more than a GB (gigabyte). Therefore, 1KB is not a lot of data and it is not uncommon to have files and applications that require more data than 1KB.
How many KB are in a 4GB RAM?
4GB of RAM is equivalent to 4096MB of RAM, which is equal to 4096000KB of RAM. So, in order to answer the question, 4GB of RAM is equal to 4096000KB of RAM.
Is 4 MB RAM good for gaming?
It depends on the type of game you are playing. 4 MB of RAM is generally not good for modern gaming, as even some basic games require at least 2GB of RAM to operate at optimal levels. However, if you are playing older or less graphically intense games, 4 MB of RAM may be adequate.
Keep in mind that having a lower amount of RAM often sacrifices graphic detail and may lead to crashing or other performance issues. For most gamers, 4 MB of RAM is not recommended and it is better to upgrade to at least 2GB of RAM.
Why do space shuttles have 4 separate computers?
Space shuttles have four separate computers due to the complexity of the mission and the need for a high degree of redundancy. Unlike a computer that operates one specific function, the space shuttle has to manage multiple functions at once and must be able to do so reliably.
Having four independent computers helps to ensure that any potential failure is isolated to one system, and that the mission can still be safely and successfully completed. The four computers also help to minimize the chances of human error, as the redundant computers can double-check each other in some cases to provide an extra level of safety.
In addition, these computers are built to last; with strong and reliable components that are designed to work in extreme conditions and withstand heavy vibrations, powerful winds, intense radiation and more.
Ultimately, the four separate computers provide a reliable and reliable way for the space shuttle to carry out any mission, and help ensure the safety of both the mission and the crew onboard.
How powerful were the space shuttle computers?
The space shuttle’s computers were incredibly powerful, especially when compared to early computers with complex processing power. The five general purpose computers (GPCs) installed in the shuttle’s avionics suite provide up to 200 million instructions per second (MIPS).
Each of these computers is composed of a 76-bit main processor plus five 32-bit control processors. The GPCs use three different memory types – random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), and erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM).
All five GPCs are connected to each other and the shuttle’s multitude of systems, including the guidance, navigation, and control systems, orbital maneuvering system, radiator, and life support systems.
The GPCs were also created for fault tolerance and redundancy, meaning that if one GPC fails, the other four are designed to immediately take over the load.
Overall, the space shuttle computers were robust pieces of technology that could handle a tremendous amount of instruction per second and maintain high levels of reliability and redundancy.
Does NASA still use old computers?
Yes, NASA still uses old computers in some cases. For example, they still use the IBM mainframe computers that were used in the Apollo program to control the Saturn V launch vehicle. The radiation-hardened Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC) is also still in use in as part of some onboard systems.
Along with these classic machines, NASA also employs a wide range of modern windows-based PCs, Macs, and Unix-based systems.
While there are residual reasons to keep some of these classic systems around, the typical hardware at NASA is modern and constantly being updated. This is largely due to the safety and performance needs required for space exploration.
Real-time mission control requires the fastest, most reliable hardware available and NASA keeps up with the latest developments. By utilizing both classic and modern machines, NASA can ensure that their missions run smoothly and efficiently.
Is space travel possible without computers?
Space travel without computers is theoretically possible, however the lack of sophisticated computing power would make it extremely difficult. Without computers to control propulsion, navigation, and communication, astronauts would have to resort to manual monitoring and control of the spacecraft, something that is considered far too risky for current space travel.
Moreover, a computer is not just a basic calculator, but a complex organism that can be customized to perform a wide range of tasks necessary for space travel. This includes coordinating and controlling the various systems of the spacecraft, performing attitude control, onboard navigation, and mission operations.
A computer is also used to detect and analyze data sent from the spacecraft, calculate trajectories and determine the spacecraft’s position relative to its destination, and monitor the health and safety of the astronauts on board.
Without computers, these tasks and many more would need to be done manually, which would be incredibly time consuming and potentially hazardous.
In conclusion, while space travel without computers is theoretically possible, the current state of technology dictates it would require tremendous effort and present a higher risk of failure than traveling with computers.
