Per a Friday afternoon update from Goddard, it seems Hubble has yet to switch over to the backup main computer onboard.
As I write this, more data on the source of the memory board problem is being analyzed -- but the space telescope will likely remain in safe mode to Monday, now -- minimum.
. . .NASA continues to work on resolving an issue with the payload computer on the Hubble Space Telescope. The operations team will be running tests and collecting more information on the system to further isolate the problem. The science instruments will remain in a safe mode state until the issue is resolved. The telescope itself and science instruments remain in good health.
The computer halted on Sunday, June 13. An attempt to restart the computer failed on Monday, June 14. Initial indications pointed to a degrading computer memory module as the source of the computer halt. When the operations team attempted to switch to a back-up memory module, however, the command to initiate the backup module failed to complete. Another attempt was conducted on both modules Thursday evening to obtain more diagnostic information while again trying to bring those memory modules online. However, those attempts were not successful. . . .
Yikes. . . let's keep a watchful eye on this fine -- if aging -- piece of space hardware.
Onward, keeping a good thought here.
नमस्ते
1 comment:
I should probably indicate that the prognosis here is. . . not great. Multiple attempts have failed, and short of a mission (years off) to manually go replace the whole computer layout, this may be the end of Hubble, we are watching — in real time. After more than three decades.
Sad, indeed. . . Falling perhaps permanently. . . silent. End of mission.
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