Tag

Redundancy

All articles tagged with #redundancy

space1 day ago•11 min saved

Voyager 1 Survives on Kilobytes: Redundancy Keeps a 1970s Spacecraft Alive

Voyager 1, launched in 1977, still runs on three main computer systems with about 69.63 KB of memory each and continues to receive and execute Earth commands nearly five decades later. The mission’s built‑in redundancy—across the Computer Command Subsystem, Flight Data Subsystem, and Attitude and Articulation Control Subsystem—along with flexible software allowed engineers in 2024 to reroute around a damaged memory chip after a memory corruption event, masking the fault by relocating code to unused memory. Despite aging hardware and the vast 24+ billion-kilometer distance, the craft demonstrates how carefully designed, low-power systems can outlive their original lifespans through redundancy and adaptable software.

via Space Daily|

#deep-space #memory #nasa

technology5 months ago•6 min saved

Volvo’s Dual-Redundancy Door Handles Promise Exit, Even If the Battery Dies

Volvo’s EX60 uses shark-fin exterior door handles with an integrated electronic release and a mechanical backup in the same motion, paired with two DC-DC converters so the 12-volt system stays powered for emergency operations even after a crash. The design ensures doors can be opened electrically or mechanically as needed, addressing ongoing safety concerns about power-door handles and highlighting Volvo’s emphasis on redundancy for safe exits.

via InsideEVs|

#door-handles #ev-safety #ex60

business6 months ago•5 min saved

Google Employee Fired After Reporting Harassment, Court Told

A senior Google employee claims she was made redundant after reporting sexual harassment and a toxic 'boys' club' culture within the company, leading to an employment tribunal case where Google denies retaliation and attributes her redundancy to normal business restructuring.

via BBC|

#business #google #redundancy

technology2 years ago•3 min saved

The Vulnerability of Environmental Sensors Exposed in the 2022 CEZ Event

The events at the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ) in Ukraine highlighted the fragility of environmental sensors in high-risk areas. Elevated gamma radiation levels were reported before the monitoring system went offline, leaving observers guessing. Security researchers suggest that the high values were spoofed, as disturbing the soil would not cause a significant increase in gamma readings. The possibility of electromagnetic interference or electronic warfare causing the incorrect data was ruled out. The manipulation of monitoring stations or the server processing the data is considered, but without forensic evidence, it remains conjecture. The incident emphasizes the need for hardened and redundant environmental sensor networks in disaster scenarios.

via Hackaday|

#chornobyl-exclusion-zone #environmental-sensors #radiation-monitoring

space2 years ago•2 min saved

"Russian Space Station Leaks Raise Concerns about Program's Reliability"

The Russian Nauka module on the International Space Station has experienced a coolant leak from its backup radiator, posing no danger to the crew but prompting the closure of window shutters as a precaution against contamination. The primary radiator is still functioning, but the loss of redundancy is not ideal. This is not the first time the Nauka module has encountered issues, with previous incidents including unexpected thruster firing and leaks in other spacecraft. NASA has upcoming spacewalks scheduled, but it remains uncertain if they will proceed as planned.

via The Register|

#coolant-leak #international-space-station #radiator

technology3 years ago•3 min saved

"The Enduring Power of the IBM Mainframe: A Closer Look at its Operations and Resilience"

Mainframe computers, such as those manufactured by IBM, are still relevant today, with an estimated 10,000 in use by large companies worldwide. These purpose-built machines are designed to handle massive data workloads and provide high throughput and redundancy for critical operations like high-volume financial transactions. With up to 240 server-grade CPUs, large amounts of RAM, and petabytes of storage, mainframes ensure 99.999% uptime and rapid response times. While cloud and cluster platforms are competitors, they often lack the cost-effectiveness and reliability of mainframes.

via Ars Technica|

#data-processing #high-volume-transactions #ibm

science-and-technology3 years ago•3 min saved

"Collaborative Legged Robots Revolutionize Planetary Exploration"

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a team of legged robots, called ANYmals, to assist future rovers in exploring harsh lunar and Martian terrains. These robots, capable of walking, can mitigate the risk of damage and loss of traction in unpredictable environments. Each robot is specialized for specific tasks but can also work together as a team, with redundant features allowing them to back each other up in case of failure. The robots have been successfully tested in simulated lunar and Martian terrains, demonstrating their potential for scientific exploration in hard-to-reach areas. The researchers aim to further enhance the robots' autonomy for more challenging missions, such as Mars exploration.

via Ars Technica|

#autonomous-systems #legged-robots #planetary-exploration

infrastructure3 years ago•6 min saved

The Safety of Philly's Tap Water During a Chemical Spill

Philadelphia Water Department officials were unable to switch to a clean water source to serve much of the city if a key water treatment plant became contaminated during a recent chemical spill. The incident highlights the need for infrastructure investments in drinking water and other infrastructure in the US. Achieving full redundancy within a drinking water system is difficult and expensive, but Philadelphia is striving for it with its 25-year Water Revitalization Plan, which includes several projects that would allow the Water Department to serve the entire city with water from just the Schuylkill River or just the Delaware River, indefinitely.

via WHYY|

#chemical-spill #infrastructure #infrastructure-investments