Hubble Space Telescope resumes photographing the Cosmos
The Hubble Space Telescope is back in action doing what it does best – capturing stunning images of the universe – after more than 50 NASA engineers worked hundreds of hours to get the instrument working again.
After activating redundant components within the orbiting observatory on Friday to clear a hardware glitch, the telescope has been able to use its sensors again. NASA released two photos of oddball galaxies Hubble snapped over the weekend: one depicting two galaxies intersecting each other, and the other showing a large spiral galaxy with three arms.
About a month ago, Hubble’s onboard payload computer, which controls its instruments, mysteriously froze, forcing the main computer to put the observatory’s sensors into an inactive safe mode. It was feared by some that ol’ Hubble was a goner after attempts to revive the machine failed.
NASA had to dig up 30 to 40-year-old documents to investigate the hardware lock-up, and engineers were even called out of retirement for advice. By switching to backup power supply electronics as well as a backup payload computer, the US space agency was finally able to bring Hubble back online.
Now it’s all systems go and now hopefully the Hubble controller’s biggest headache will be dealing with the backlog of requested observations.
“I’m thrilled to see that Hubble has its eye back on the universe, once again capturing the kind of images that have intrigued and inspired us for decades,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement.
“This is a moment to celebrate the success of a team truly dedicated to the mission. Through their efforts, Hubble will continue its 32nd year of discovery, and we will continue to learn from the observatory’s transformational vision.”
Tricky remote support
At first, NASA thought the problem was down to a faulty memory module that had degraded over time from absorbing too much cosmic radiation. But utilizing an alternative onboard module didn’t fix the issue. Further analysis suggested the glitch had something to do with an iffy power control unit. When the team switched to a backup unit to power the backup payload computer, Hubble came roaring back to life.
“The switch required 15 hours of spacecraft commanding from the ground,” said Jim Jeletic, deputy project manager of the Hubble Space Telescope working at NASA’s Goddard Space Center.
“The main computer had to be turned off, and a backup safe mode computer temporarily took over the spacecraft. Several boxes also had to be powered on that were never turned on before in space, and other hardware needed their interfaces switched.”
This isn’t Hubble’s first outage. In 2008, its Science Instrument and Command & Data Handling unit failed and a four-person crew of astronauts repaired the machine in orbit in 2009. Backup components in that replacement hardware was booted up 12 years later to deal with this crisis.
The telescope was launched in 1990, and was designed to last 15 years. Over 30 years later, however, it’s still toiling away and observing the heavens.
“Hubble is in good hands,” said Kenneth Sembach, director of the Space Telescope Science Institute, which helps conduct Hubble science operations. “The Hubble team has once again shown its resiliency and prowess in addressing the inevitable anomalies that arise from operating the world’s most famous telescope in the harshness of space. I am impressed by the team’s dedication and common purpose over the past month to return Hubble to service. Now that Hubble is once again providing unprecedented views of the universe, I fully expect it will continue to astound us with many more scientific discoveries ahead.”
See more here: theregister.com
Header image: NASA, ESA, STScI, Julianne Dalcanton (UW), Alyssa Pagan (STScI)
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barry paul robinson
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It may even find Covid19!.
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Lisa
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I had to laugh. good one.
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Gus
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I’m in awe at the idea that electronics that have not been switched on for 40 years and never in space, can still function when you flick a switch.
I can’t help but smile at the intro: […50 engineers worked hundreds of hours…]
So they basically fixed it in 1/2 day after the coffee break?
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sir_isO
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I would make a joke about a golden penis, but I really don’t think it’s funny.
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sir_isO
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The reason it’s not funny is because I’m just about 40 years old and apparently there’s no switch to make it function.
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MattH
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Hey Frank or whoever, stop lying to yourself and you could one day be straight with others.
I have learnt heaps about science on this site and a part of that success is somebody will make a scientific comment or reference relating to an article and later one can see another comment in the twelve comments list and see it is a refutation or contribution to an earlier comment and as a result one can follow a number of, at times, fascinating insightful scientific debates.
When there is a pathological narcissist with out any apparent self awareness loading up half or more of the comments with personal abuse of others and some unbalanced perspectives on the real world it destroys potential.
Many of the people who comment on this site are well qualified people and if you would discipline yourself and not comment you may learn something.
Every day is a new beginning so you don’t have to hang yourself,,,,, at this stage.
Since my earlier posting of this comment you now have taken 7 of the 12 comments on notice for contributors. again. I reverse my comment above. Do the honorable thing.
Matt
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sir_isO
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Hey Matt, your assumptions, accusations, projections mean you’re an idiot. But also a piece of shit.
Glhf.
https://berriedalive.bandcamp.com/track/chewed-up-spit-out
Moffin
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Blessed be.