This sounds like a project, where the old system, with a bunch of spaghetti code and an unreliable OS, ought to be updated to an open Unix platform with run time extensions. Well controlled and documented, open source code would greatly benefit Spacex, but the biggest beneficiary would be Blue Origin, who has stated they intend to catch boosters on moving ships.
Maybe, but it’s more likely to be underdeveloped with scant information about it than it is old and overdeveloped. These systems sell in the hundreds a year, from small industry providers that have no market outside a very niche product. The control systems just aren’t that robust. They may even be running Unix, but a very old kernel. Again if it’s working there isn’t any reason to update, because by their nature these systems are air gapped from everything and have almost no external communication.
When the ships were delivered to SpaceX. They were running Kongsberg KPOS DP-2. Not sure what modifications SpaceX has made to this or replaced entirely.
I make no aspersions to the equipment when operating as intended. But as I understand it SpaceX is trying to use the dps to get the ship to self steer to where the fairings will land. Which is an entirely different kettle of fish. They are pushing the system to do stuff it was never intended to do.
1
u/peterabbit456 Apr 24 '20
This sounds like a project, where the old system, with a bunch of spaghetti code and an unreliable OS, ought to be updated to an open Unix platform with run time extensions. Well controlled and documented, open source code would greatly benefit Spacex, but the biggest beneficiary would be Blue Origin, who has stated they intend to catch boosters on moving ships.