Comment Update from the field (Score 1) 137
We just finished packing up the K10's (we have more than one) and will be heading back to California tomorrow. I'll see if I can post pictures soon.
As one of the primary designers of K10's avionics, I can authoritatively answer questions!
1.) K10 and the other robots that were out in the desert are research platforms and are not intended to fly in space. As such, we can get away with many things including the use of commercially available non-space qualified parts.
2.) Our entire group at NASA Ames primarily runs on Linux (desktops and robots)! We also have a good Mac contingent as well.
3.) K9, it's predecessor, was designed for research in autonomous exploration/science on Mars. Yes, it was named after K-9 in Dr. Who.
For more information on the avionics inside K9 and K10, see:
http://ic.arc.nasa.gov/publications/pdf/0851.pdf
As one of the primary designers of K10's avionics, I can authoritatively answer questions!
1.) K10 and the other robots that were out in the desert are research platforms and are not intended to fly in space. As such, we can get away with many things including the use of commercially available non-space qualified parts.
2.) Our entire group at NASA Ames primarily runs on Linux (desktops and robots)! We also have a good Mac contingent as well.
3.) K9, it's predecessor, was designed for research in autonomous exploration/science on Mars. Yes, it was named after K-9 in Dr. Who.
For more information on the avionics inside K9 and K10, see:
http://ic.arc.nasa.gov/publications/pdf/0851.pdf
