"Joann Evans" wrote in message
...
Lou Scheffer wrote:

(Lou Scheffer) wrote in message
om...
(Derek Lyons) wrote in message
...
h (Rand Simberg) wrote:

Oops - this was NOT one of the first uses of transistors. Another
article states that they were still built with vacuum tubes in 1964,
10 years after transistors were used for other applications, since
transistors were not yet proven to be more reliable. In retrospect
this makes perfect sense - any reliability conscious field will not
rush to adapt new technology, no matter how promising, if the old
technology is working at least OK.

Lou Scheffer


When a shuttle crew did a satellite upgrade (not sure if it was Solar
Max, or Hubble), it was noted that the replacement units were 386
processor based. Some people didn't understand why...you basically just
answered them. (Espically when you add in uncertainty as to how well a
new processor design will tolerate long term ionizing radiation
exposure)

It was the Hubble space telescope. I liked the power supply swap in last
service mission.

Higher risk - but high rewards.

gb