2 Jan
2006
2 Jan
'06
9:34 p.m.
The RCA COSMAC was the first microprocessor in space. The 1801 flew on an
OSCAR satellite launched in 1978. Other COSMAC spacecraft include UoSAT-1,
UoSAT-2, later DMSP, Voyager (3 1802's), Dynamics Explorer A & B, Viking,
Galileo, and the Space Shuttle (TV Systems). The COSMAC's that flew in space
were space/radiation hardened versions using a CMOS / SOS ( Silicon On
Saphire ) chip technology. These radiation hardened versions were developed
in conjunction with the Sandia National Laboratories. At Hughes Aircraft we
used the 1802s for lots of projects with at least the two I worked on
running Micro-FORTH ( before FIG-FORTH arrived ).
Best regards, Steven C.
wasnt the rca 1802 used a lot on satellites due to its reliability