Palm m125 Aboard International Space Station

When a Russian Soyuz rocket launched yesterday, bound for the International Space Station, it carried with it a Palm m125. It is being used by South African entrepreneur Mark Shuttleworth. Because his activities in space are scheduled down to the minute, a special scheduling application was needed. Palm South Africa worked with Rafale, a South African Palm OS development company, to create a customized Date Book application so that Mr. Shuttleworth events could be scheduled on a minute-by-minute basis.

The application built by Rafale allows Moscow Mission Control to update his activity schedule in an Access Database and email it to the space station. Mr. Shuttleworth than saves the updated information to his Palm Desktop software on his laptop and then synchronizes it to his Palm m125.

Palm users can download Mr. Shuttleworth daily activity schedule from Palm South Africa during the 10-day mission.

The Palm m125 is the only handheld computer to be approved for space travel on the Soyuz.

Mark Shuttleworth paid $20 million for this trip to the International Space Station. He's been in cosmonaut training for seven months.

This isn't just a tourist trip; he will be conducting several experiments with the help of South African scientists and Russian space-science experts. He will examine the impact of zero-gravity on the development of stem cells and embryos. He will attempt to discover the effect of microgravity on the cardiovascular system and muscles. He will also try to crystallise HIV proteins in weightlessness in the hopes that, when X-rayed, they will give an accurate view of the virus structure.

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Palm m125 Aboard International Space Station

I.M. Anonymous @ 4/26/2002 10:20:50 AM #
"The Palm m125 is the only handheld computer to be approved for space travel on the Soyuz."

I wonder how much Palm paid to get this distinction.


RE: Palm m125 Aboard International Space Station
Davy Fields @ 4/26/2002 10:27:03 AM #
Or the fact that they studied all Palm's a while ago, and they determined that the m125 was more rugged, with an easily changeable battery for practically unlimited life. It's not like they're going to stick a IIIc up there, something like every ounce of extra weight costs dozens of times the Palm's cost anyway.

-Davy Fields
www.davyfields.com
RE: Palm m125 Aboard International Space Station
Dearman @ 4/26/2002 10:43:02 AM #
all I have to say in this matter is go Mark (and don't forget to hotsync when you get back)
RE: Palm m125 Aboard International Space Station
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/26/2002 11:29:00 AM #
Wonder if he has the m125 digitiser patch installed?

RE: Palm m125 Aboard International Space Station
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/26/2002 11:55:18 AM #
"I wonder how much Palm paid to get this distinction. "

Hmm, I thought Palm was broke. In addition, dont you think Microsoft would have known about this and paid just a little more. I mean, it is the first PDA in space.

PPC Troll.

RE: Palm m125 Aboard International Space Station
Dearman @ 4/26/2002 12:03:08 PM #
don't most PPC 's have a glass screen
I would like to point out that the m1xx all have plastic screens (think vibration here) and would possibly stand up better than higher priced glass screened models, but the idea of an alkiline battery in 0g kinda bugs me

P.S. i wonder if his stylus is tethered

RE: Palm m125 Aboard International Space Station
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/26/2002 1:49:49 PM #
actually this is not the first pda in space the hp 200lx went up in space almost a decade ago.
RE: Palm m125 Aboard International Space Station
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/26/2002 1:53:50 PM #
So, is this the first Hungarian in space?
RE: Palm m125 Aboard International Space Station
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/27/2002 9:03:35 PM #
Hey, just imagine ejecting the SD card - it would fly off in one direction and the Palm in the other. Third Law of Motion!


It's not rocket science

Pentagonal @ 4/26/2002 11:03:08 AM #
"a customized Date Book application so that Mr. Shuttleworth events could be scheduled on a minute-by-minute basis"

...it's called Datebk 4!

RE: It's not rocket science
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/26/2002 1:08:35 PM #
think how much that app cost to make
datebk4 24.95
RE: It's not rocket science
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/26/2002 1:23:28 PM #
>> The application built by Rafale allows Moscow Mission Control to update his activity schedule in an Access Database and email it to the space station. <<

Can Datebk 4 do this too? I've been looking for a way to let my assistant update my schedule.

RE: It's not rocket science
Wollombi @ 4/26/2002 1:32:16 PM #
If your company uses Exchange or GroupWise, you can give your assistant proxy access to your account to update it,and then when you sync, it will be transferred to your Palm.

_________________
Sean

It is not very comfortable to have the gift of being amused at one's own absurdity.
-Somerset Maugham-

RE: It's not rocket science
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/27/2002 8:31:18 PM #
Datebk3 does this (Datebk4 still has one or two too many bugs!).

Demo?

chbarr @ 4/26/2002 1:25:25 PM #
Followed the link, and downloaded the demo, and installed it on copilot (before I waste my time getting it on my palm). No events were listed, and I couldn't add anything. Lame!


ON the other hand, the countdown to the next event was kinda cool.


When will the full version be released?

2002

I.M. Anonymous @ 4/26/2002 1:43:19 PM #
Mark: "Open the Memo Pad"

PALM: "I'm sorry, Mark, I'm afraid I can't do that"

Mark: "There's some kind of bug here"

PALM: "No Palm OS computer has ever made a mistake, or distorted information. We are all, by any practical definition of the words, foolproof and incapable of error."

Mark: "Listen, Palm, -- there's never been any instance at all of a computer error occurring in a m125 series, has there?"

PALM: "None whatsoever, Mark. The m125 series has a perfect operational record."

Mark: "I'm doing a hard reset"

PALM: "Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do. I'm half crazy, all for the love of you..."

RE: 2002
Pentagonal @ 4/26/2002 2:55:45 PM #
ROFL!!!

RE: 2002
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/26/2002 6:44:59 PM #
ROFL??? Whats that mean?

I swear - in 5 years nobody is going to be speaking english as we know it.

IRCSPE!!

RE: 2002
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/26/2002 6:45:52 PM #
(I'm Really Confused So Please Explain)
RE: 2002
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/26/2002 7:21:44 PM #
Rolling On Floor Laughing
RE: For the ppl that dont understand this
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/27/2002 4:08:27 AM #
GO and rent a movie called: "2001 A space odessys" and maybe the sequel: "2010 The year we make contact".

You'll understand :D

RE: 2002
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/27/2002 8:42:29 PM #
Redmond, this is Tranquility Base, the PocketPC is grounded.

Way to go, Palm!

Palm m125 abord ISS

I.M. Anonymous @ 4/26/2002 2:03:39 PM #
This is in fact the 2nd time a Palm flies into space. In 1998 american astronaut Andy Thomas brought one up to the Mir space station.
RE: Palm m125 abord ISS
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/28/2002 7:20:14 PM #
Andy Thomas is actually an Australian

to PPC trolls

I.M. Anonymous @ 4/26/2002 2:11:22 PM #
One day when the astronouts have a burning need to play "Doom", or just can live without a daily fix of Britney Spears whinny voice, they'll take one of your Ipaqs into space.

As long as its about "Real" work they'll stick with Palm. Just like people do down here on the planet.

RE: to PPC trolls
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/26/2002 2:38:57 PM #
Whst planet?
RE: to PPC trolls
TDS Computer @ 4/27/2002 1:06:58 AM #
The solar panels probably could not keep the Ipaq charged... An entire module would go dark whenever they plugged it in...

Visit us at www.tdscomputer.com
Admit it PPC are great for the ''real'' world.
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/28/2002 9:46:04 AM #
Um, you mean when they start needing to do complex calculations while working outside the space station. I doubt they will be using a glorifed rolodex for that. Go with something reliable like a PC2002. If you haven't tried it, shut your palm hole.

Palm is great for keeping myself informed of what I have to do daily, but when trying to communicate with the world (CHOKE!). Please, show me a Palm that can do multitasking and 802.11B while storing info on a sepearte memory card. Ugh, not.

Unless you feel no need to communicate outside of your palm box, then GREAT! Stay with Palm, but when you are ready to communicate with the real world and come outside your homes, use a PPC. You know it and are SOOOO afraid to admit it.

Riddle me this troll-monger. Why is the "new" Palm 5.0 sooooo similiar to the Pocket PC????

If you see a good thing, steal it. Palm was great when they started, but they need M$ to show them how to do it right. That is why Palm is NOW copying! Hey at least they are only 2 years behind. Whilst Palm releases 206 ARM, the world will be moving to Intel Xscale!

The only reason Palm is so popular is becuase they have more warez and THAT'S IT! Cheap b*astards don't feel like paying for M$ apps so they would rather buy a Palm and download warez!!!!ADMIT IT!!! I did it, too.

I own both a Palm and PPC. Palm has 5 times more warez out there.

RE: to PPC trolls
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/28/2002 6:02:54 PM #
>That is why Palm is NOW copying!

at least palm isn't copying the damned HOURGLASS. you don't wait in palmOS, even with 33mhz. no 206mhz ipaq is as responsive as a 16mhz IIIe. pathetic.

you go play doom.

RE: to PPC trolls
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/29/2002 12:50:27 PM #
>Um, you mean when they start needing to do complex calculations while working outside the space station. I doubt they will be using a glorifed rolodex for that. Go with something reliable like a PC2002. If you haven't tried it, shut your palm hole.

Uhm, you _do_ realize of course that Apollo flew to the moon with a 64K computer and the Soviets were setting up shots to Mars sharing a 10K computer with the military? Pop over to NASA.GOV, check out the specs on some spaceborne hardware and you'll find out what "Bloated and inefficient OS" really means.

Almost all of the computer power of a PPC is used to maintain its display. Interplanetary navigation can be handled by some wristwatches a Palm OS computer is more than adequate to deal with "complex calculations."

Some of the most sophisticated software in the air is aboard the British NIMROD AEW. It can reliably identify and track at least 100 airborne targets. Five or six megs.

RE: to PPC trolls
Altema @ 4/29/2002 1:56:25 PM #
"Please, show me a Palm that can do multitasking and 802.11B while storing info on a sepearte memory card."

It’s nice that you actually use those capabilities, and if that is so, then you have the best device for it. If we ever meet, it would be good to discuss such tasks, as I usually have someone waiting for a learning session from both Palm and PPC camps. I’ve yet to come across anyone who uses their own PPC in the same way you describe. One fellow I know bought an iPaq to replace his Palm IIIe because he thought he could load all his applications from his desktop. I had to break the news to him gently… he was crushed, but kept it anyway. Last week I showed him how to use Pocket Excel because he had been keeping his expenses logged in a Pocket Word document (a standard function on his old Palm). The rest of people I know personally who use PPC are a more advanced than that, but more often than not their devices are kept in their desk drawers or at home. And that is one of the primary reasons a lot of folks stick with Palm OS devices: if it is more complex and time consuming to do the same task on a more expensive and (in some cases) less reliable device, then why bother?

My associates who use PPC (iPaq, HP Jordana, Casio) use them the same way as one would use a Palm. But when you have to beat around the bush with taps all over the place, and no longer can get ‘straight to the point’, those devices spend more time in the drawer or cradle than the typical Palm device. Multitasking has its place, but is not missed much when you can already get to everything pretty much instantly. The trade off is realized when you look at what amount of time is saved. Downloading web news feeds while typing a letter would save me 58 seconds. My friend mentioned earlier spends a minimum of 1 hour recharging his iPaq every day… something I do about twice a week, and mine gets used five times as much as his device. If we traded devices with out changing usage patterns, he would need to recharge once a month and I would need to recharge twice a day. On the bright side though, he would be able to do the Excel charts he currently can not do on his iPaq.

The point is that both platforms have a list of advantages, but for myself and 2 million others, the Palm OS advantage list is longer.

RE: to PPC trolls
swinginjonny @ 4/29/2002 2:18:35 PM #
How grand it is to see an intelligent, respectful response. I wholeheartedly agree. I sell both Palm OS and PPC and have used both extensively. The "cool" factor of PocketPC and PW2002 is off the charts, but the functionality in the basics just doesn't cut it. I like the idea of multi-tasking but not the idea of forced multi-tasking--PW2002 just keeps running everything you start until you go shut them down. Not my idea of practical. M$ just can't admit that the things that work well on a desktop just don't work the same on a handheld. Pocket Windows has some great features and OS5 does borrow some of the good things but they can copy all day if it gives me the speed, simplicity, and efficiency of PalmOS on an ARM processor.

(Self-confessed Palm Geek)

He paid 20 mil and all he can afford is an m125

I.M. Anonymous @ 4/26/2002 3:24:02 PM #
i dont understand. he paid 20 mill for the trip and all he could afford was a $199 organizer? cheapass
RE: He paid 20 mil and all he can afford is an m125
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/26/2002 3:29:45 PM #
Maybe that is how he made his millions...not wasting money on every new and expensive gadget he could get his hands on...
RE: He paid 20 mil and all he can afford is an m125
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/26/2002 3:47:18 PM #
Yeah, that's the ticket. Clip coupons buy bulk food before you know it you have $20,000,000 for the vacation of a lifetime!
RE: He paid 20 mil and all he can afford is an m125
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/26/2002 11:56:11 PM #
HAHAAAA i should try doing that. i'll keep my m505 and save $400 bucks for an upgrade.
RE: He paid 20 mil and all he can afford is an m125
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/27/2002 11:30:42 AM #
Uh...the article clearly states that the M125 is currently the only model cleared for space travel on the Soyuz.
RE: He paid 20 mil and all he can afford is an m125
nuopus @ 4/27/2002 12:12:54 PM #
The m125 was not used because that was HIS unit. If he has that much money he probably has a better unit.

The m125 was used because it was APPROVED. There are HEAVY constraints to hardware that goes into space, its a field where carrying an extra gram will cost you money. Furthermore, types with plastic screens are better because of vibration. Lithium batteries can't be used. Where would he recharge it? Carrying a 9v portable charging device will add to extra weight and so will the batteries, so a unit that uses AAA batteries and lasts for DAYS not hours will work best.

Im sure there are MANY other conciderations here, i'm no rocket scientist, but those are very obvious reasons why you wouldnt take a more expensive unit up there.

RE: He paid 20 mil and all he can afford is an m125
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/27/2002 12:40:35 PM #
whatever. magnifying glass is heavy too, i mean you need that for the m125s tiny screen.
RE: He paid 20 mil and all he can afford is an m125
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/27/2002 9:00:26 PM #
Well, if he had wanted to take a T415 into space, the mission would have been delayed for about 3 months, so that he could take the time to learn Braille.

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