chrismeyer6 wrote on 2022-06-25, 08:52:
Well the probe itself isn't running windows 98 it's software was developed on windows 98. The probe itself is running a RTOS just like all other space craft. Still a cool story and Mars Express has been a fantastic mission and a great companion to NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter mission.
Yes, that's what some other news pages say, too.
This one does at least say "developed in Windows 98" in the head line.
https://www.tomshardware.com/news/mars-probe- … ndows-98-update
However, it then goes on with saying "Chances of running Doom on Mars intensify". *sigh*
That's what I was referring to when I mentioned today's sensational press. 😔
This is one of these cases when the comment section has more potential value than the news page's article itself.:
"Mars Express uses multiple Dynex MA31750 CPUs clustered in pairs onto a CDMUs (Command & Data Management Units),
of where there are also a pair (for 4 total CPUs), all running the 1750A instruction set.
Mars Express uses an RTOS rather than a regular desktop OS,
very likely VxWorks (the project predates ESA's switching of most of their development to RTEMS)."
kolderman wrote on 2022-06-25, 09:13:
If it was running Win98 it would not have made it out of orbit.
Lol. 😂 Maybe, yes. To be honest, I would believe ESA to be capable to pull a stunt like this.
It also fits into that time period nicely.
Historically, western Europe is/was very submissively dependent on MS, I think.
Generations of (young) people, students, literally grew up with nothing else.
In my country, several attempts were made to free us from Windows/Office monopoly in schools and public institutions (famous example).
But politicians, teachers, conservative users and questionable deals slowed that process down.
I wouldn't have been surprised thus if one of those researchers really had written mission software based on VBA or something similar.
Or if an instrument ran on Windows, even.
That being said, at least the Windows 3.x line was in parts dependable, as it seems.
Early on, Windows 3.x often played the role of an embedded systems, akin to Win CE.
It was used in multimedia systems (Tandy VIS), cash registers and on multimedia systems aboard airplanes.
Windows 9x setup used it as a runtime (mini.cab), also.
Some airport software, DECOR, used it too, until a hardware failure happened (one of the better news reports).
Which, of course, was barely mentioned really. Sensational press, again.
Of course, no one bowed down in awe for a hardware / software combination that lasted for 23 years (nearly a quarter of a century).
Instead, people made fun of it. *sigh* 😒
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