I'm not an expert here...but the memory is constantly "washed" for errors from radiation. I think the non-volatile type stuff didn't/doesn't have the read/write cycles we'd need for that. There is ROM onboard that holds the bootloader and a very stripped down OS.

73, Drew KO4MA

-----Original Message-----

From: "P.H." pholmes102@gmail.com Sent: May 6, 2011 1:28 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-51 troubles

Ok, all is a little clearer right now!

I wasn't aware that the sat relied on volatile memory to store the main software. Was there a particular reason why this was chosen over non-volatile or was it just an oversight that this issue would eventually happen when the batteries became exhausted?

Just curious!

Think now is a good time to remind everyone that an extra few dollars into the Amsat Fox fund wouldn't do any harm :-)

73

Pete 2i0VAX