IBM A30 Type Laptop spotted on the ISS

[cybercorsair]

I was just on the NASA watching the current mission and i noted to Laptop they looked to be two A31 Laptops . I kept watching and the Keyboard is of the A30/A31/31p systems .
Will check with friend that work With NASA I know the US Gov bought a Ton of A31's at one time but I thought they dumped them some time back but then again how long have the been building the ISS? .
Anyway will see if I can get the video on my computer and get a screen capture to show all.

Now i can say these system as so cool they even use them in space lol

CC

[Harryc]

"All A31p laptops onboard are currently being loaded with latest NAV software and updated definition files for increased protection," reads the ISS daily log. The three crew members aboard the space station manage over 50 computers.

Reference - http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn1 ... cerns.html

[sjthinkpader]

...
Will check with friend that work With NASA I know the US Gov bought a Ton of A31's at one time but I thought they dumped them some time back...

The problem with space use is the qualification cycle. Once the A31p was qualified, it is very hard to requal another system to do that same job.

[charles.atcher]

I once saw a detailed photo of the Shuttle, with an iPod visible in the window. Apparently, from what I read, LiIon batteries have not been approved for space flight, therefore the iPod had to be modified to run on alkaline batteries.

That may have been hog wash, I don't know. I'd have to assume if true, that would also apply to the laptops...

[sjthinkpader]

May be NiMH, these have almost same energy density as LiIon but much heavier.

[cybercorsair]

talked with a friend he said yes there at some T series and some A series on both the ISS and the Shuttles but then there are some other systems and yes a people have taken their ipods after some mods to the power source. the Thinkpads seem to last the longest and system the deal with the Arms and cameras in the cargo area hard to saw what type of screens they have but looking to be the better ones .

CC

[schen]

If the NASA service length of the 760/765 series machine were any indication, the A3x machines are probably there for the long-haul.

[cybercorsair]

If the NASA service length of the 760/765 series machine were any indication, the A3x machines are probably there for the long-haul.

WEll if picture is worth a 1000 words http://space.gs/news/wp-content/uploads ... 042237.jpg


this should cover it lol

CC