Hubble telescope remains blind: Science operations shut as Nasa diagnoses faulty computer
2 min readTen days after it faced errors on onboard computers, the Hubble Space Telescope remained in safe mode with the science operation was turned off. The Hubble team has worked on a load computer that stops on June 13 because the spacecraft stops collecting science data.
“The telescope itself and the science instruments remain in good health and now in a safe configuration,” NASA said in a statement. The problem adds the misery of the observatory to fly three decades that will soon be replaced by the James Webb telescope.
NASA has conducted a previous test on a cargo computer on June 23 and June 24, along with replacing the backup computer for the first time in space. “The test shows that many combinations of these hardware pieces from the primary and backup computer all experience the same error – the command to write or read from memory does not work,” added NASA.
What does the computer do wrong?
Control computer charges damaged and coordinate science instruments on spacecraft. After stopping suddenly in the module, the computer stops receiving the “stay alive” signal, which shows that everything is fine. As soon as the error occurs, the main computer puts all science instruments in the safe mode configuration.
Computer chargo consists of a central processing module (CPM), which processes commands that coordinate and control science instruments, and standard interfaces (bunyias), which bridge communication between CPM computers and other components. There is also a communication bus, which contains lines that allow signals and data between hardware and active memory modules, which store operational commands to the instrument.
When the telescope team has determined that the command to write or read from memory is unsuccessful, they see other hardware. Engineers also investigate the power regulator to see whether the voltage is properly supplied to hardware.
The Hubble Space Telescope, which recently completed 30 years of service outside the earth’s orbit, was first launched in 1991. Observatory has been the key in some of the most significant discoveries of our cosmos, including the expansion of the acceleration of the universe, the evolution of galaxics over time, and The first atmospheric study of the planet outside our solar system.
The legacy of the aging telescope will be carried out by the James Webb telescope, which will be launched on October 31. After operating, the big telescope will look into the past so far as Big Bang and witness the birth of the first stars in our universe.
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