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Mars Probe gets Windows 98 Update, after 19 years
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SUMMARY
The Mars Express spacecraft has received a significant software update that enhances its MARSIS (Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding) capabilities, allowing for improved observation of Mars and its moon Phobos. This upgrade, based on a development environment from Microsoft Windows 98, enables the probe to operate five times longer by optimizing data storage and management. The update reduces unnecessary data retention, thereby increasing the efficiency of the probe's operations and expanding its exploratory reach.
PREREQUISITES- Understanding of MARSIS (Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding) functionality
- Familiarity with spacecraft data management techniques
- Knowledge of software development environments, specifically legacy systems
- Basic principles of planetary exploration and remote sensing
- Research the latest advancements in radar technology for planetary exploration
- Explore the implications of legacy software in modern spacecraft operations
- Learn about data optimization techniques in space missions
- Investigate the role of software updates in enhancing spacecraft longevity and functionality
Aerospace engineers, software developers in space technology, planetary scientists, and anyone interested in the intersection of legacy systems and modern space exploration.
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I couldn't quite work out what they were doing with the update. It implied they were freeing up space for data, which sounds like the opposite of what Windows updates usually do. Presumably they've chopped out unnecessary stuff...? I hope they left Minesweeper so the probe has something to do while it's uploading data.
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paige turner
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it's watching porn
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Vanadium 50
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Could have been worse.
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OCR
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paige turner said:
Well, that should increase the extension of its probe function a bit longer. . . .
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collinsmark
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This has made headlines in pop-sci articles lately. But (without researching it too much), I'm pretty sure the orbiter was not running Windows 98.
Rather the software running the probe was originally developed years ago using a Windows 98 based environment.
I think the confusion comes from ESA press release, where a quote may have been misinterpreted/taken out of context. "... MARSIS software was originally designed over 20 years ago, using a development environment based on Microsoft Windows 98!”
https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Suppor...upgrade_for_19-year-old_martian_water-spotter
That's not quite the same thing as the orbiter actually running Windows 98.
Rather the software running the probe was originally developed years ago using a Windows 98 based environment.
I think the confusion comes from ESA press release, where a quote may have been misinterpreted/taken out of context. "... MARSIS software was originally designed over 20 years ago, using a development environment based on Microsoft Windows 98!”
https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Suppor...upgrade_for_19-year-old_martian_water-spotter
That's not quite the same thing as the orbiter actually running Windows 98.
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And makes a lot more sense!collinsmark said:
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