Re: [APML] Film in Space (was The End of Tech Pan???)

["Frank Schiffel" <SchifF@dhss.state.mo.us>]

rule of thumb used to be about 5 years. obviously some are well engineered and last beyond that. some probably have an Energizer bunny in there somewhere. 

some initial systems were CCD from the imaging lens, then film was used to capture the CCD image, that was later dropped and picked up later, developed on board and sent to ground stations later, or various permutations and combinations on it.

film has the ability to be used without a lot of high tech computer equipment. just a light source.

biggest problem is storage of information of CCDs that's equivalent to a piece of film. and what to do when say, 7 track tapes no longer exist.

>>> tclay@theriver.com 1/15/02 6:10:05 PM >>>
High-end imaging CCD's in orbit aren't totally
"maintenance-free" either. They often need cryogenic coolants, which
eventually run out.

Torsten


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