On Jul 2, 11:07*pm, Pat Flannery wrote:

For a real laugh, get ready to meet the Argon-16 Soyuz-Progress
computer, which uses magnetic core memory...you know, all the little
iron donuts on the wire grid:

I followed the link, and could not find a mention that it used core
memory in its RAM modules.

This would not surprise me, though, since the unit was designed in
1974.

And, given the effect of alpha particles on man-in-the-moon
marigolds... oh, sorry, dynamic RAM chips, I'm not even sure if that
particular technology is inappropriate for use in the space
environment.

Even if the limited computing power of a computer built from small-
scale integrated circuits would hobble spaceship design.

I believe that Russia does have the technology to produce radiation-
hardened large-scale integrated circuits, both DRAM and
microprocessors, since it would be difficult for me to believe that
the GLONASS satellites relied on the early level of computing
technology exhibited by this device. Perhaps this older technology is
only used for safety-critical systems, or Russia still does not wish
the Americans to see their latest technology.

John Savard