Hubble - Down and Out?
Jul 8, 2021 06:12:00 #
It looks like the Hubble Space Telescope's illustrious career might be coming to an end. A computer that was designed in 1974 has been inoperable for a month, and all attempts to repair it have failed. The telescope has been sending us amazing pictures since shortly after its launch in 1990. If Hubble was a member of UHH, it would post, "Having Computer Problems."
https://hubblesite.org/
https://hubblesite.org/
Jul 8, 2021 12:11:33 #
flyboy61
Loc: The Great American Desert
Perhaps another space shuttle mission could take parts enough to repair it for another 20, 30, or 40 years. But, if not, its service life has been amazing!
Jul 9, 2021 02:52:10 #
Over the years it has captured some amazing shots. I'm sure I have read that a new more powerful 'Telescope' is ready to go into orbit.
Jul 9, 2021 07:10:24 #
If it was a forum member, there would be several messages from Hubble on whether they should have the camera set to RAW or JPEG.😊
Jul 9, 2021 07:16:34 #
joehel2 wrote:
If it was a forum member, there would be several messages from Hubble on whether they should have the camera set to RAW or JPEG.😊
Jul 9, 2021 07:47:13 #
Doddy wrote:
Over the years it has captured some amazing shots. I'm sure I have read that a new more powerful 'Telescope' is ready to go into orbit.
The James Webb Telescope is set to go...for the last ten years (having technical problems).
But it is an Infra Red telescope.
Images like that which are taken by the Hubble...is at an end.
There will be no shuttle mission to Hubble.
It's done...unless they can repair it online...which is doubtful.
Jul 9, 2021 07:55:00 #
I'm a computer expert and have worked on some seriously old computers, I could probably fix it. My hourly rate would probably bankrupt NASA though. 
Jul 9, 2021 07:56:30 #
Once the Thirty Meter Telescope is built on Maunakea, it will knock the socks off the Hubble without the expensive repairs in space. There is very few other places on earth that has the quality of skies to support these modern telescopes.
Jul 9, 2021 07:56:42 #
Canisdirus wrote:
There will be no shuttle mission to Hubble.
It's done...unless they can repair it online...which is doubtful.
It's done...unless they can repair it online...which is doubtful.
That's a shame. It's like designing an ocean liner without lifeboats. I wonder how much Elon Musk would charge to repair it.
Jul 9, 2021 08:28:37 #
There is backup hardware installed which NASA is preparing to actuate remotely. The whole procedure is (as expected) pretty complicated. The process is being rehearsed and will not require a visit. Hubble may be down but probably not out. Hopefully.
Jul 9, 2021 08:31:43 #
jerryc41 wrote:
That's a shame. It's like designing an ocean liner without lifeboats. I wonder how much Elon Musk would charge to repair it.
It's a design issue with the repair.
The shuttle had some faults...but one of them was NOT orbital work.
Those suckers were perfect for repair jobs...even had a crane.
The ships being built today are for long rides.
Jul 9, 2021 08:32:48 #
Canisdirus wrote:
The ships being built today are for long rides.
I have no interest in taking a long ride in a space ship.
Jul 9, 2021 08:35:27 #
bamfordr
Loc: Campbell CA
flyboy61 wrote:
Perhaps another space shuttle mission could take parts enough to repair it for another 20, 30, or 40 years. But, if not, its service life has been amazing!
Sigh. If there were still an operational space shuttle.
Jul 9, 2021 12:00:09 #
jerryc41 wrote:
It looks like the Hubble Space Telescope's illustrious career might be coming to an end. A computer that was designed in 1974 has been inoperable for a month, and all attempts to repair it have failed. The telescope has been sending us amazing pictures since shortly after its launch in 1990. If Hubble was a member of UHH, it would post, "Having Computer Problems."
https://hubblesite.org/
https://hubblesite.org/
And there would surely be sarcastic replies implying lack of intellect.
Jul 9, 2021 12:21:11 #
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