I like space exploration. I've often dreamt of visiting Mars. In fact, I even tried to convince my wife that we would have a great time being one of the first families to colonize Mars (she hasn't bought into it, yet)!
So when I heard a recent podcast by Jerry Fiddler (here's the link: runtime 1h 33m) I was fascinated. His company, Wind River, supplied the Unix-like operating system for the Mars Rover and he has fascinating insights into the value of low-cost, off-the-shelf (or even free) software in the service of space exploration. Visions of an army of penguins roaming over the mighty red vistas of Mars was strangely appealing...
Some of you might be wondering, with Linux being available for free, how could NASA refuse to use it in their space program? Well, it turns out they haven't refused. In fact, the computer used to send commands to the Beagle 2 Mars Lander from Earth runs a variation of Linux.
I've heard someone, somewhere say its very cold in space... and penguins like the cold. Seems like a match made in heaven to me! NASA must agree, since they're clearly planning on using some Linux in their next generation flight systems.
It's only a matter of time until I get to see penguins in space!
4 comments:
do you watch pengu? tell me you watch pengu.
I don't have much time for TV these days...
I do have a 3...2...1... Penguins video that I have on my desk that I'm planning on watching someday soon.
I told Andrew that you were going to space to colonize Mars with the penguuins, and he only laughed. Can we watch Chadya while you're away??
I dunno... I was kind of counting on taking her with me! :)
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