Most likely, it's because the coax is sheilded much more than standard cat-5. Or, it's also possible that this cable is used elsewhere on the shuttle, and having a spare part that can replace multiple things reduces the amount of crap they need to bring up with them. It also eliminates the need for a switch or hub, which is extra weight and just another piece of equipment that could fail. Jay -----Original Message----- From: John Scherer [mailto:john at schererzoo.com] Sent: Monday, March 04, 2002 2:13 PM To: tclug Subject: [TCLUG] WAY-OT - A pic from NASA... Check out the picture below. It's of Astronaut Duane Carey, but that's not what's funny. Take a closer look at the 3COM pcmcia network dongle floating above his notebook. It's thin-net! On the Shuttle! Who would have thought. http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/shuttle/sts-109/hires/s109e5059.j pg