What Killed Spirit? Flash Memory

NASA's rover 'Spirit', which had suddenly stopped sending data last week, has been upgraded from Critical condition to Serious condition today. NASA scientists discovered that the problem was the fact that Spirit uses Flash memory when storing flight paths and other info. Apparently this Flash memory got corrupted, and NASA was able to get Spirit back on track by transfering the info from the Flash memory to onboard RAM. This article goes into further detail. I just thought this was a bit interesting, and had no idea NASA used Flash memory on their equipment. Too bad there's no Wal-Mart on Mars where they could get a new Flash card. :canadian:

-godpunk

#104900

:rant: What a waste of time :rant: :rant: What a waste of money :rant: :rant: :rant: That really sucks, do you have any idea how much it costs to send a rover onto mars? :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant: And it takes a couple of years to get there too. :rant: :rant: :rant: What idiots.

#104904

i knew flash memory was evil!!!, or maybe it isnt hmmmm

I knew you werent talking about spirit as in boozee.. i knew that...

#104908

Originally posted by Flarex@Jan 25 2004, 03:30 PM
:rant: What a waste of time :rant: :rant: What a waste of money :rant: :rant: :rant: That really sucks, do you have any idea how much it costs to send a rover onto mars? :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant: And it takes a couple of years to get there too. :rant: :rant: :rant: What idiots.

Hey, before you go bashing NASA, give them some credit. The rover is not dead, it is merely experiencing a (very inconvenient) delay. NASA expects Spirit to make a full recovery within three weeks. Also, don't forget that Spirit's twin, Opportunity, landed safely last night. Making a successful landing on Mars is extremely difficult, as seen by the loss of the Beagle probe, as well as the last two missions NASA launched to Mars in '99. To successfully land two rovers is quite an accomplishment, not to mention the spectacular images the rovers are sending back. There is still 3-4 months of work ahead for these twin rovers, so to call the entire mission a failure just days into it would be foolish.

-godpunk

#104922

Originally posted by godpunk@Jan 25 2004, 10:04 PM
Hey, before you go bashing NASA, give them some credit. The rover is not dead, it is merely experiencing a (very inconvenient) delay. NASA expects Spirit to make a full recovery within three weeks. Also, don't forget that Spirit's twin, Opportunity, landed safely last night. Making a successful landing on Mars is extremely difficult, as seen by the loss of the Beagle probe, as well as the last two missions NASA launched to Mars in '99. To successfully land two rovers is quite an accomplishment, not to mention the spectacular images the rovers are sending back. There is still 3-4 months of work ahead for these twin rovers, so to call the entire mission a failure just days into it would be foolish.
-godpunk

totally with you godpunk, its just a kink that they will have to fix. Just like these programs people are making to aquafy their xp. they have experience difficulties along the way, but they have gotten through those dark times. so I say keep on going nasa, american's have beat any other country that has ever tried to land on mars.

-bunkka

oh ya...im proud to be american! :moon:

#104934

wheabouts in america Bunkka, Peru?

#104937

Originally posted by Seph@Jan 25 2004, 10:25 PM
wheabouts in america Bunkka, Peru?

wheabouts? srry i dont get it, what does that mean. not trying to be ignorant, just bad spelling.

#104939

where in america, peru? hehehe, had to say it, people in the rest of the american continent are americans as well

lived too many years in latin america heheheh

#104943

Originally posted by Seph@Jan 25 2004, 10:32 PM
where in america, peru? hehehe, had to say it, people in the rest of the american continent are americans as well

lived too many years in latin america heheheh

ohh

hahahahah, i got it, srry kind threw me off with the spelling. i catch your drift

#104968

it only takes 6 months to reach Mars, not 2 years.

#104979

If NASA spent 1,000,000,000,000 it wouldnt change your life at all. So don't worry how much they spend. The truth is we live in the greatest country even though its ran by monkey men. We have endless amounts of money and you should be greatful.

#104981

Don't turn this political, kids. Stick to space.

-godpunk

#104982

Sorry.

#104988

Originally posted by XJOSHATTACKX@Jan 26 2004, 12:09 AM
The truth is we live in the greatest country even though its ran by monkey men.

technically, its 'dirty apes' :lol:

Pretty neat article. I wonder what the specs on the lander are?

off hunting...

#105070