A project like Curiosity involves lots of computer programming. So what language is that done in? And what's the procedure for testing something so high-stakes? In a fascinating conversation, programmers discuss NASA's coding standards and how software engineers at JPL make sure something like Curiosity works before they send it to Mars. Reminds me of Xeni's great question about the file format used for sending photos from Mars back to Earth. (Via Esther Schindler)

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_KLDXI7FI3NUHYC23SUHMGLNBCQ Tom

    Is anyone else curious about what hidden plans the space rovers may have? Most definitely the NSA or CIA could have a special module tucked into the craft before it departed if they so wanted. To what end I wonder?

    I’m not trying to say that this is the case. But if it were the case, what might that purpose be? What could they think they could do from Mars that they couldn’t do here? Weaponize and surveillance of some sort is all I can think of. But how exactly?

  • TimRowledge

    Well Tom, if I told you about the code including traffic snooping stuff so the NSA can read all the email Curiosity sends via the Inter(pla)net, I’d have to order you to kill yourself.

  • digi_owl

    Now how can we get the same kind of standard applied to home computers?

    Oh and VxWorks on PowerPC, did not see that coming.

  • msbpodcast

    Found this page.

    It actually uses a AIM 603 chip.