Share
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The Hubble Space Telescope should be back in action soon, following a tricky, remote repair job by NASA.
The orbiting observatory went dark in mid-June, with all astronomical viewing halted.
NASA initially suspected a 1980s-era computer as the source of the problem. But after the backup payload computer also failed, flight controllers at Maryland’s Goddard Space Flight Center focused on the science instruments’ bigger and more encompassing command and data unit, installed by spacewalking astronauts in 2009.
NASA Says Observations Should Resume Quickly
Engineers successfully switched to the backup equipment Thursday, and the crucial payload computer kicked in. NASA said Friday that science observations should resume quickly, if everything goes well.
A similar switch took place in 2008 after part of the older system failed.
“Congrats to the team!” NASA’s science mission chief Thomas Zurbuchen tweeted.
Launched in 1990, Hubble has made more than 1.5 million observations of the universe. NASA launched five repair missions to the telescope during the space shuttle program. The final tuneup was in 2009.
NASA plans to launch Hubble’s successor, the James Webb Space Telescope, by year’s end.
RELATED TOPICS:
Valadao, Costa Spar on What Passage of Trump’s Bill Means for Medicaid Recipients
12 hours ago
Boeing Secures $2.8 Billion US Satellite Contract
12 hours ago
Clovis Police Say At-Risk Missing Woman Found Dead in Mariposa County
13 hours ago
Over 100 Former Senior Officials Warn Against Planned Staff Cuts at US State Department
13 hours ago
Fresno Police Recover Some of the $40,000 in Fireworks Stolen From Bullard High Team
14 hours ago
Eyeing Arctic Dominance, Trump Bill Earmarks $8.6 Billion for US Coast Guard Icebreakers
15 hours ago
Fresno Crash Involving Unlicensed Teen Driver Sends Woman to Hospital
10 hours ago
Categories

Fresno Crash Involving Unlicensed Teen Driver Sends Woman to Hospital

Valadao, Costa Spar on What Passage of Trump’s Bill Means for Medicaid Recipients

Boeing Secures $2.8 Billion US Satellite Contract

Clovis Police Say At-Risk Missing Woman Found Dead in Mariposa County
