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PlayStation 1 CPU powers #PlutoFlyBy / NewHorizon probe
- Thread starter Man
- Start date
Lightning Count
Member
Nice, maybe they'll use the cell processor next to power an.unmanned reconnaissance vehicle to land on other worlds.
Because when you thought your PS1 was broke, you can turn it upside down and it will work.
Some of the NASA people probably grew up and knew about the durability of the PS1 with that simple trick, so they decided to use the PS1 CPU.
Early Pentiums actually weren't all that reliable. I mean, they weren't horrible, but still.
Reliability. You need something that is stable under extreme conditions.
Dragon1893
Member
Just read this on a portuguese site, pretty cool.
DonMigs85
Member
Interesting... It's a shame MIPS died on video game platforms with the PSP
BrettHeazy
Member
good to know the onboard AI has FF7/FF8/FF9 at their disposal for the long ol' journey.
Seems like it worked pretty well.
A processor with the fraction of this capabilities brought us to the moon, no matter it if powers a calculator or not... it needs to work.
I remember reading that chips with bigger processes and lower frequencies were less prone to be affected from cosmic radiation and other hostile conditions in space. You wouldn't be overclocking that cpu in your space probe anyway.
I'm 120% sure they are not choosing the CPU with no particular reason or choosing what they did because they are just playstation fans.
I'm 120% sure they are not choosing the CPU with no particular reason or choosing what they did because they are just playstation fans.
JordanN
Banned
Yeah I think NASA scientists are more qualified to make that judgement.
Yeah but imagine having more power man
Hook dat shit up with an i7 Extreme and two Titans and have liquid nitrogen cooling
240fps in space mofo
/s
DonMigs85
Member
The original Pentium from 1993 was an 800nm chip. Not sure about the R3000
Nah they're just a bunch of Sony ponies over there.
Take a look at the process that goes on when selecting components for a mission. These projects involve hundreds of millions or billions of dollars and bring together the best and the brightest from around the world to come up with the most scientifically rewarding setup that fits their power/weight budget.
With electronics in particular it's important to chose components with extreme durability, having to undergo extreme temperatures and the onslaught of heavy radiation.
It's hilarious that you can just disregard the intense research and compromises and hard work of a space agency so casually.
What exactly do you think "a Pentium" would have done better?
With electronics in particular it's important to chose components with extreme durability, having to undergo extreme temperatures and the onslaught of heavy radiation.
It's hilarious that you can just disregard the intense research and compromises and hard work of a space agency so casually.
What exactly do you think "a Pentium" would have done better?
PdotMichael
Banned
I still remember when NASA bought remaining stocks of analogue electronics components.
Sidewinder
Member
See Sony, I told you now was the time for a new Colony Wars on PS4, even NASA helps you out for the marketing!!!1
If the original PSX can fly to Pluto and play Colony Wars just imagine what the PS4 could achieve in Space with a new Colony Wars!
If the original PSX can fly to Pluto and play Colony Wars just imagine what the PS4 could achieve in Space with a new Colony Wars!
DonMigs85
Member
If Japan made such a probe maybe they might have gone with Hitachi SH-series processors. The Saturn would have truly lived up to its name
PdotMichael
Banned
http://www.wnd.com/2000/12/7640/
Why Iraq's buying up Sony PlayStation 2s
Intelligence experts fear games bundled for military applications
Why Iraq's buying up Sony PlayStation 2s
Intelligence experts fear games bundled for military applications
some more fun facts;
http://www.cpushack.com/space-craft-cpu.html
But yeah. NASA usually goes for tried-and-tested solutions. Also, since these kind of projects take quite a while from inception to specification to realisation it will only add to the 'obsoleteness'-factor.
http://www.cpushack.com/space-craft-cpu.html
But yeah. NASA usually goes for tried-and-tested solutions. Also, since these kind of projects take quite a while from inception to specification to realisation it will only add to the 'obsoleteness'-factor.
Yup, just like Gaf.
I hope Major will notice my post and go to /r/xbox so we can tell him how much we love him over there.
Felix Lighter
Member
I doubt it was chosen specifically because of the PS1. MIPS R3000 CPUs were used in many devices, including the PS1.
JordanN
Banned
why the fuck does everyone think everything is about fanboying LMFAO
I said Pentium because it is traditionally a reliable CPU. Looking at it on paper has more power than the one NASA used
jesus christ some of you form a narrative based on one post and then focus on it
No shit I am not informed I don't work at NASA, didn't think I would need to do research and form a thesis as to why they should use a Pentium for stating an opinion.
I said Pentium because it is traditionally a reliable CPU. Looking at it on paper has more power than the one NASA used
jesus christ some of you form a narrative based on one post and then focus on it
No shit I am not informed I don't work at NASA, didn't think I would need to do research and form a thesis as to why they should use a Pentium for stating an opinion.
Oh, it was meant to be an additional information to the OP and not to address the silly remarks on how they should have used Pentium because it was silly to use the PS1 cpu.
I'm sure that if Intel or another company provides them with Pentium CPU's that fit NASA's criteria for a nice price that they would go for it.
The CPU in New Horizons is actually the Mongoose-V; a heavily modified R3000 processor. They cost 20.000 dollars a piece.
PdotMichael
Banned
Pentium wasn't produce anymore in 2006 while the R3000 lived just fine as cheap and reliable chip for embedded systems.
*At NASA*
"Umm sir, New Horizon is playing up, she's not sending any pictures"
"Try turning it upside down"
"Sir?"
"Worked for my PlayStation..."
juicyfruitas
Member
theusedversion
Member
Consoles better than PCs confirmed. Suck it losers.
There's no up nor down in space (or maybe there is).... which means that PS1 will perpetually work, and cats will keep on turning!
Don't be silly, they chose it because PS1 can push 1.5m polygons per second and you're all just butthurt.
In space, the CPU will be in the upright position and upside down at the same time, which means it will always work one way or another.
What a genius solution.
Drawing more energy, for sure.
According to the website above the Sony Playstation CPU that's now in New Horizons has been modified for space travel and now costs $20,000 to $40,000