After many days of testing and unsuccessful attempts to return Hubble to working order, NASA engineers seem to have
The agency reported that the failure was due topayload computer: it is located in the Scientific Instrument Control and Data Processing Unit (SI C&DH). He controls and coordinates the operation of Hubble's scientific instruments. When the payload computer stopped working, all Hubble technology automatically went into a secure configuration.
A series of multi-day tests that includedattempts to restart and reconfigure the computer and the backup computer were unsuccessful, but the information gathered from these efforts allowed the Hubble team to determine that the possible cause of the problem was the power control unit (PCU).
The PCU is also located in the SI C&DH block.This ensures a stable voltage supply to the payload computer hardware. In addition, there is a protective circuit that monitors voltage parameters. The failure could have occurred in one of these two components.
If the voltage drops below or exceedsacceptable levels, this secondary circuit tells the payload computer to shut down. The analysis of the command shows that either the voltage level on the regulator is outside the permissible levels (and because of this, the secondary protection circuit has turned off), or the secondary protection circuit has become worse over time and is stuck in one state.
The switchover will begin on July 15, and if successful, it will take several days to fully return the observatory to normal scientific work.
Changes in the Earth's orbit contributed to the emergence of complex life on the planet
Nebulae, comets and stellar nurseries: showing the best astrophotography of the year
Coronavirus in a cave: all about Chinese miners who suffered from strange pneumonia in 2012