Computer aboard the Hubble Space Telescope has stopped working after 30 years

[Anta Assamey]

Universe, we have a problem: NASA's investigating an outage on the Hubble Space Telescope

(CNN) — Universe, we've got a problem: The payload computer aboard the Hubble Space Telescope that has shaped our understanding of the cosmos for over 30 years has stopped working. 

After the June 13 malfunction, Hubble's payload computer stopped receiving the "keep-alive" signal that's a "standard handshake between the payload and main spacecraft computers to indicate all is well," according to a NASA news release. 

Following the main computer's automatic shift of all science instruments to safe mode, control center personnel at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, restarted the payload computer but it soon halted once again on June 14. The telescope and other science instruments remain in good health, NASA reported. 

The payload computer -- a NASA Standard Spacecraft Computer-1, or NSSC-1, system built in the 1980s -- is part of the Science Instrument Command and Data Handling unit, a module on the Hubble Space Telescope that communicates commands to Hubble's science instruments and formats data for transmission to the ground. The current unit is a replacement that was installed by astronauts on shuttle mission STS-125 in May 2009 after the original unit failed in 2008, which delayed the final servicing mission to Hubble while NASA constructed the replacement. 

The Hubble Space Telescope deployed on April 25, 1990, from the space shuttle Discovery. 

The payload computer's purpose is to control and coordinate the science instruments on the telescope, and monitor their health and safety, according to NASA. The computer's programs also analyze and manipulate the data it collects. The computer is critical, but there is a second computer the operations team can switch to if problems arise. 

Based on early data, the Hubble operations team initially thought a degrading memory module halted the computer. After the failed restart and attempt to switch to a backup memory module, the team tried to gain more information while again trying to bring the memory modules online, which also fell flat. 

After several tests of the computer's memory modules, the investigators found that a different piece of computer hardware might have been the culprit behind the memory errors: The operations team has started exploring whether the problem lies within the Standard Interface, or STINT, hardware -- which facilitates messaging between the computer's Central Processing Module and other parts -- or the CPM itself. 

The Hubble Space Telescope is a project of international cooperation between NASA and the European Space Agency. 

The operations team members are also designing tests they'll soon run to pinpoint potential problems and a possible solution -- which, for future reference, would be instrumental for figuring out which hardware is still working properly when something else isn't. 

If the problem isn't fixed, the Hubble operations team will be prepared to switch to the STINT and CPM hardware in the backup payload computer, NASA reported. 

If the operations team members use plan B, they'll then need several days to see how the backup computer performs and to resume the normal operations for which the main payload computer is typically responsible. The backup hasn't been used since its installation in 2009, NASA reported, but it was "thoroughly tested on the ground prior to installation on the spacecraft." 

Launched aboard Space Shuttle Discovery in 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope has shared its observations of stars, galaxies and other astronomical objects "that have captured imaginations worldwide and deepened our knowledge of the cosmos," NASA reported. 

That includes its role in narrowing down the universe's age from the once estimated 10 billion to 20 billion years old to about 13.8 billion years, a number now used to understand the chronological development of stars, galaxies and more.

[Anta Assamey]

Computer Restart cheyamani @Amrita cheppindi ... 

[Amrita]

5 minutes ago, Anta Assamey said:

Computer Restart cheyamani @Amrita cheppindi ... 

Are u back from India?  Ippudu vellelaga unda asalu or better to wait for few more months?

[Anta Assamey]

Just now, Amrita said:

Are u back from India?  Ippudu vellelaga unda asalu or better to wait for few more months?

Vachi chala rojulu ayyindi ... I would say wait ...

[Amrita]

6 minutes ago, Anta Assamey said:

Vachi chala rojulu ayyindi ... I would say wait ...

Oh ok..thank you !

[mirchi_bajji]

it was serviced like 5 times. they change faulty components.

one advantage of service mission is they move hubble to higher orbit so as it increase its life.

[Kool_SRG]

3 hours ago, Amrita said:

Are u back from India?  Ippudu vellelaga unda asalu or better to wait for few more months?

If you want to travel to India next one two months will be best bet later things may turn problamatic since expecting another wave..

[Battu123]

9 hours ago, Amrita said:

Are u back from India?  Ippudu vellelaga unda asalu or better to wait for few more months?

Adenti ma pakkinti masters papa holidays 3months ani vachindi 

[Amrita]

23 hours ago, Kool_SRG said:

If you want to travel to India next one two months will be best bet later things may turn problamatic since expecting another wave..

Thanks . My parents want to return . Just asking for them but honestly I am scared to send them . 

[Kool_SRG]

40 minutes ago, Amrita said:

Thanks . My parents want to return . Just asking for them but honestly I am scared to send them . 

As compared to situation in April-May its better now, if they can get vaccinated there get it done and then can travel which tends to reduce risk.. 

If they happen to get vaccinated ask them have vaccination certificate along. 

[Amrita]

23 minutes ago, Kool_SRG said:

As compared to situation in April-May its better now, if they can get vaccinated there get it done and then can travel which tends to reduce risk.. 

If they happen to get vaccinated ask them have vaccination certificate along. 

They got vaccinated couple of months back.  Indian variant ki moderna ela undo ento they said Pfizer is effective .  Booster shots vaste ela ani also thinking . I am just very confused. 

[Kool_SRG]

6 minutes ago, Amrita said:

They got vaccinated couple of months back.  Indian variant ki moderna ela undo ento they said Pfizer is effective .  Booster shots vaste ela ani also thinking . I am just very confused. 

Booster shots unte can take that, check with doctor once. 

Since vaccination is done they can travel although safety precautions are must.. 

They can have mask and face shield on during travel.. 

[Amrita]

1 minute ago, Kool_SRG said:

Booster shots unte can take that too check with doctor once. 

Since vaccination is done they can travel although safety precautions are must.. 

They can have mask and face shield on during travel.. 

moderna India lo ledu kada how can they get booster shot there ? Inkoti vastundi kada by end of year ? I also heard Pfizer is coming to India memu Pfizer tesukunna bagundedemo. 

[Kool_SRG]

26 minutes ago, Amrita said:

moderna India lo ledu kada how can they get booster shot there ? Inkoti vastundi kada by end of year ? I also heard Pfizer is coming to India memu Pfizer tesukunna bagundedemo. 

I thought you were saying booster shot before travelling to India..

Moderna/Pfizer may come to India but could take time.

[Amrita]

4 minutes ago, Kool_SRG said:

I thought you were saying booster shot before travelling to India..

Moderna/Pfizer may come to India but could take time.

Moderna inka raledu booster shot.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-may-get-pfizers-vaccine-against-covid-19-in-july/articleshow/83190750.cms