Microcomputers in Space

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MICROCOMPUTERS IN SPACE

In March 1999, it was announced that microcomputers would form a part of the computing systems facilities on the International Space Station. The European Space Agency (ESA) has used IBM personal microcomputers running the GNU Linux operating system to control the flight of an unmanned servicing space craft called ATV. Microcomputers can be entrusted with important real-time tasks and are no longer viewed as just elaborate typewriters.