Properties of a Pocket Calculator for Astronauts

[Maximilian Hohmann]

Hello!

(09-06-2019 07:36 AM)deetee Wrote:  What are the "properties" of a pocket calculator to be useful in a spacecraft when every other computer dies?

The only thing left to calculate for a pocket calculator after every other computer dies, is for how many hours the oxygen left in the cabin is going to keep the crew alive... And honestly, I would not like to know.
And all those trajectory calculations are pretty useless because the thrusters are operarted by electric valves which themselves are controlled by the (deceased) computer. It was already like that 50 years ago on Apollo. The had a simple backup computer for the ascent from the moon with a hardwired trajectory for a rendevouz. But never any control over their engines without at least one functioning computer!

Regards
Max