From the Moon to the Scrap Heap and Back

In summary, the conversation discusses the development and auctioning off of microcomputer chip ICs and Rope Memory by Raytheon in the mid 1960s. The historic value of these advancements, which were auctioned off as scrap metal, is highlighted. The robustness of Rope Memory as a storage medium and its commercialized variation, Transformer Read Only Storage, are also mentioned. The difficulty in producing Rope Memory and its eventual obsolescence are acknowledged. The conversation also mentions the immense investment in materials and construction to enhance its longevity and the findings of hardware and software inspection.
  • #1
enorbet
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Greetings all
In the mid 1960s Raytheon developed the first microcomputer chip ICs and Rope Memory that would get us to the moon. Apparently within a mere 10 years these historic small steps that were more than a decade ahead of their time and of considerable historic value were auctioned off as scrap metal. A few have been recovered and analyzed and the data is intact after 50 years of abuse. Sound interesting? Check this out

http://hackerpublicradio.org/eps.php?id=2150
 
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  • #2
Rope memory is an extremely robust storage medium. As long as you don't break any of the wires or lose any of the cores you are good to go. Unfortunately it is rather low density and very difficult to produce and the data is fixed at manufacture.

Here is a commercialized variation of it:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformer_Read_Only_Storage

BoB
 
  • #3
Thanks for that, rbelli1, if you follow the youtube links a few of the included clips from raytheon show the modules manufacturing process. It's quite fascinating to me, and, yes, production was really difficult. Indeed, it was only a first small step and rendered fairly quickly obsolete with good reason. In this case the longevity was certainly enhanced by immense investment of cash into exotic materials and construction designed to withstand extreme temperatures, vibration and radiation. Some of the clips involve hardware inspection, including XRay examination and others the software extraction which is to be made public. Quite the find as well as a worthy project. :)
 

1. What is "From the Moon to the Scrap Heap and Back" about?

"From the Moon to the Scrap Heap and Back" is a scientific exploration of the journey of materials and objects from their creation and use on Earth, to their disposal and potential reuse on the Moon, and back to Earth again.

2. Why is this topic important?

This topic is important because it highlights the interconnectedness of our planet and the potential for sustainable resource management. By understanding how materials and objects can be repurposed and reused, we can reduce our environmental impact and potentially create a more sustainable future.

3. What are some examples of materials that could be reused from the Moon?

Some possible examples of materials that could be reused from the Moon include rare earth elements, which are used in many modern technologies, and water, which could potentially be extracted from lunar ice for use by future space missions.

4. How could this research impact space exploration?

This research could impact space exploration by providing insights into how we can more efficiently use and repurpose materials in space, reducing the need for costly and environmentally damaging launches from Earth. It could also pave the way for sustainable long-term human habitation on the Moon and other planets.

5. What are some challenges of implementing a recycling system for space materials?

Some challenges of implementing a recycling system for space materials include the high cost and technological complexity of space missions, limited resources and infrastructure on the Moon, and the potential risk of contamination from Earth materials. Additionally, there may be ethical considerations surrounding the ownership and use of lunar resources.

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