James_F
12-26-02, 10:18 AM
http://www.zdnet.com.au/newstech/communications/story/0,2000024993,20270701,00.htm
Looks like they launched a new satellite down under that uses Ka band to provide communications in the outback. Even more interesting is that the hardware can be configured from the ground.
The satellite also contains the world's first use of reconfigurable computing technology in space. Reconfigurable computers can change their physical circuits via software control, allowing new circuits to be added by remote control. This means satellites can be rewired without having to retrieve them, which could open up new realms of spacecraft adaptability, including re-use of old spacecraft.
Now that is very interesting, can you imagine how much cheaper satellites would be if you didn't have to launch a new one every couple years?
Looks like they launched a new satellite down under that uses Ka band to provide communications in the outback. Even more interesting is that the hardware can be configured from the ground.
The satellite also contains the world's first use of reconfigurable computing technology in space. Reconfigurable computers can change their physical circuits via software control, allowing new circuits to be added by remote control. This means satellites can be rewired without having to retrieve them, which could open up new realms of spacecraft adaptability, including re-use of old spacecraft.
Now that is very interesting, can you imagine how much cheaper satellites would be if you didn't have to launch a new one every couple years?