Gojomo: NASA's d366 bug


Gojomo

2006-11-30

«Posted 11/30/2006 07:28:00 PM»

NASA's d366 bug

Perhaps you've heard of the 'y2k bug', where software wasn't ready for dates rolling from 1999 to 2000. Turns out NASA's space shuttle software has a d366 bug every new year's eve:

NASA wants Discovery back from its 12-day mission by New Year's Eve because shuttle computers are not designed to make the change from the 365th day of the old year to the first day of the new year while in flight.
The space agency has figured out a solution for the New Year's Day problem, but managers are reluctant to try it since it has not been thoroughly tested.

I'm surprised NASA's space systems care about calendar years at all. I would have expected them to use some other reference frame, like say seconds since the moon landing.

Tags: nasa, space+shuttle, , software, bug, y2k, d366

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Comments:

Gordon, is that you?

After all these years. We RLC guys were wondering what happen to our great former California Chairman. Please come back.

Caught you over at Reason. You were one of the best. We need you back amongst your libertarian Republican friends old friend.

You did promise you would come back after you stepped away from politics to "make your millions" as you said.

Eric at www.mainstreamlibertarian.com

# posted by

Eric Dondero : 12/27/2006 5:25 AM

It's me! Good to hear from you. Following-up to email.

# posted by

Gordon Mohr : 12/27/2006 10:38 PM