Astronauts floating in space using what looks like “old tech” might sound bizarre at first. But as it turns out, there’s a very practical reason behind it. And no, it’s not because NASA is stuck in the past. A recent explanation from NASA spaceflight expert Jason Hutt sheds light on why missions like Artemis still rely on aging hardware, including older Windows tablets.
Why NASA still uses “old” tech in space
According to Hutt, it all comes down to testing, cost, and reliability. Space hardware isn’t something you can just swap out every year like a smartphone. Every single component has to go through extensive certification and testing, which takes years and costs a fortune. So once a device is approved, NASA sticks with it.
By using a device ISS was using, we would save money on certifying the hardware. Every piece of equipment flown has to go through
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