TheSkySearchers

From NASA:
"NASA is working to resolve an issue with the payload computer on the Hubble Space Telescope. The computer halted on Sunday, June 13, shortly after 4 p.m. EDT."

https://hubblesite.org/contents/news-re ... s-2021-035

smp

From Space.com:
"Hubble Space Telescope sidelined by issue with its 1980s computer"

https://www.space.com/hubble-telescope- ... d-computer

smp

Another article from SciTechDaily.com:
"NASA Struggles to Fix Failure of Hubble Space Telescope’s 1980s Computer"

https://scitechdaily.com/nasa-struggles ... -computer/

smp

smp wrote: ↑Mon Jun 21, 2021 1:10 pm Another article from SciTechDaily.com:
"NASA Struggles to Fix Failure of Hubble Space Telescope’s 1980s Computer"

https://scitechdaily.com/nasa-struggles ... -computer/

smp

64k huh? Same as a commodore 64. I'm also reminded of the HAL 9000....

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

Have they tried unplugging it and plugging it back in?

helicon wrote: ↑Mon Jun 21, 2021 1:17 pm

smp wrote: ↑Mon Jun 21, 2021 1:10 pm Another article from SciTechDaily.com:
"NASA Struggles to Fix Failure of Hubble Space Telescope’s 1980s Computer"

https://scitechdaily.com/nasa-struggles ... -computer/

smp

64k huh? Same as a commodore 64. I'm also reminded of the HAL 9000....

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

The radiation-hardened processors tended to be 8-bit back then. MIL-STD-1750A was 16-bit, but I'm not sure if it was mature enough back then. The testing of processors for aerospace is huge task. The more complex the chip, the bigger task the testing is. And then there is current consumption...

And due to the extensive testing, the radiation-hardened chips are very expensive. Think about it: if a couple of engineers run tests for, say, 2 years, and then 20 pieces are sold...

I was in a project where we made an independent dependability study for MSG (Meteosat Second Generation) satellite platform. I got to read Ada code and MIL-STD-1750A assembly code.

From NPR.org:
"Hubble Trouble: NASA Can't Figure Out What's Causing Computer Issues On The Telescope"

https://www.npr.org/2021/06/23/10095673 ... he-telesco

A couple of days late, but new to me...

smp

Its had a good run, after an inauspicious debut. Its looking more and more like the story is coming to a close however.

This is sad - I hope they can figure it out and get it running again.

Hi Stephen. Thanks for your news links to the computer problem with the Hubble ST. This is very old technology, and as the last article said, it is not like putting the computer on a bench and running tests. Since the pace shuttle fleet has since been retired, this is not going to be an easy fix, if at all possible from ground control. This is just yet another reason why we need to get the James Webb ST launched as soon as possible. Thanks for your astronomy news updates Stephen, and the best of regards.

Space X Needs to figure out a way of attaching a "Canada Arm" to its capsule and send Mark Kelly and a couple real astronauts up there to fix it.
Joking of course, but I can dream.

Yesterday's update:

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/20 ... -telescope

AstroBee wrote: ↑Sat Jun 26, 2021 12:15 am Space X Needs to figure out a way of attaching a "Canada Arm" to its capsule and send Mark Kelly and a couple real astronauts up there to fix it.
Joking of course, but I can dream.

Maybe Starman can fix it, or even Elon Musk in a spacesuit.

A new article from SpaceNews.com:
"NASA taking “careful and deliberate” approach to repairing Hubble computer"

https://spacenews.com/nasa-taking-caref ... -computer/

smp

So they still think it might be recoverable so that's hopeful at least.

Does the HST have de-orbit capability? I don't think that was a requirement 30 years ago. If it does, they could drop it to a lower orbit, rendezvous with it, fix it, refuel it, and boost it back up to its proper orbit.

[edit]
Here we go: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubb ... index.html

Servicing Mission 4 (SM4): May 11-24, 2009
... Additionally, a device was attached to the base of the telescope to facilitate de-orbiting when the telescope is eventually decommissioned.

Depending on the nature of the "device", a repair might not be impossible.

I hope they can get it functional since I am not confident that JWST is actually going to go up when they say it is going to. It hasn't yet, why start now?

Looks like they think it is the Power Supply Unit - they've started today bringing the back of that online - it will take days.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/15/world/hu ... index.html

Hope it works out well!

Thanks Brett.

It would be brilliant if they get it sorted. There were plans to use the HST and the JWST together for a while.

Regards

Graeme