Since 2009, the Hubble Space Telescope has been in a state of quasi-operational limbo due to a computer glitch.
The trouble began back in 2009, when one of the three gyroscopes used to orient the telescope failed. A back-up gyroscope was brought online, but it soon started exhibiting the same problem.
In order to keep the telescope operational, mission engineers were forced to use software to emulate the functionality of the two gyroscopes. However, this workaround was only temporary, and in May of this year, the last of the software-based gyroscopes failed.
With no way to orient the telescope, it has been stuck in a fixed position, pointed permanently at the sun.
Now, Nasa is struggling to find a permanent solution to the problem.
The gyroscopes are not essential for the telescope’s main mission – which is to observe the universe in infrared and ultraviolet light – but they are necessary for more delicate tasks, such as repairing or replacing faulty instruments.
Without them, Hubble is essentially crippled.
Nasa is currently exploring two possible solutions.
The first is to use a set of thrusters to orient the telescope. However, this would only be a temporary fix, as the thrusters would eventually run out of fuel.
The second solution is to fly a shuttle to Hubble and install a new set of gyroscopes. However, this would be a costly and time-consuming process, and there is no guarantee that it would be successful.
Hubble is a vital part of Nasa’s space program, and the agency is keen to find a permanent solution to the computer glitch. However, with limited funds and no clear solution in sight, it is likely that Hubble will remain in its current state for some time to come.
Contents
- 1 What kind of computer is on the Hubble telescope?
- 2 What is the main problem being solved by the Hubble Space Telescope?
- 3 Did NASA fix the Hubble telescope?
- 4 What did NASA do about the Hubble telescope flaw?
- 5 How much RAM does Hubble have?
- 6 What Hubble sees on my birthday?
- 7 What caused Hubble failure?
What kind of computer is on the Hubble telescope?
What kind of computer is on the Hubble telescope?
The Hubble telescope has a powerful computer on board that helps it take amazing pictures of the universe. The computer is a Honeywell 68040 with 16 megabytes of RAM. It can store up to 500 pictures, and can take pictures at a rate of 1 per second. The computer also helps the telescope to stay pointed in the right direction, and to keep its alignment accurate.
What is the main problem being solved by the Hubble Space Telescope?
The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is a project of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It is a space telescope that was launched into low Earth orbit in 1990, and is still in operation. The telescope is named after American astronomer Edwin Hubble.
The main problem being solved by the Hubble Space Telescope is the study of the universe. The telescope has made many significant discoveries, including the first observations of extrasolar planets, the most distant known galaxies, and the age of the universe.
Did NASA fix the Hubble telescope?
In May 2009, the Hubble telescope experienced a malfunction that left it unable to point itself in the right direction. For the next five years, the telescope was unable to do much of anything.
In May 2014, however, NASA announced that they had successfully fixed the telescope.
The malfunction that occurred in 2009 was caused by a gyroscope that failed. This gyroscope was used to help the telescope point itself in the right direction. Without it, the telescope was unable to do much of anything.
In May 2014, NASA announced that they had successfully fixed the gyroscope. They did this by installing a new gyroscope that was more reliable.
With the gyroscope fixed, the Hubble telescope is now able to do the work that it was meant to do.
What did NASA do about the Hubble telescope flaw?
In 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope was launched into orbit around Earth. For over 25 years, it provided us with stunning images of the universe – until, in 2009, it was discovered that the telescope had a flaw.
The flaw was a problem with the mirror, which caused the images it produced to be distorted. This was a major problem, as the Hubble telescope was used to study objects in space that were too distant and faint for other telescopes to see.
Thankfully, NASA was able to come up with a solution. In 2013, they launched the Hubble Space Telescope Enhanced Service Mission, which involved sending a team of astronauts to the telescope to install a new mirror.
The mission was a success, and the Hubble Space Telescope is now once again providing us with amazing images of the universe.
How much RAM does Hubble have?
The Hubble Space Telescope is a marvel of engineering. It has been in orbit around Earth for more than 25 years, and during that time it has sent back images of distant galaxies and nebulae that have awed scientists and the general public alike.
So how much RAM does Hubble have?
Hubble has two types of memory: onboard RAM and buffer RAM. Onboard RAM is used to store images that are taken by the telescope’s cameras. Buffer RAM is used to store images that have been processed by the telescope’s computers.
As of November 2017, Hubble had 1,024 megabytes of onboard RAM and 2,048 megabytes of buffer RAM.
What Hubble sees on my birthday?
Happy birthday! What could be more special than knowing that on your special day, the Hubble Space Telescope is looking back at you and your birthday cake?
As you blow out the candles on your cake, Hubble is looking at a distant quasar that is spewing out energy and material. This quasar, known as 3C 186, is located about 11.5 billion light-years from Earth.
Hubble is also looking at a galaxy cluster known as MS0735.6+7421. This galaxy cluster is located about 5.7 billion light-years from Earth.
These are just two of the many amazing things that Hubble is seeing on your birthday. So happy birthday and thanks, Hubble!
What caused Hubble failure?
The Hubble telescope has been one of the most important tools in astronomy for more than two decades. However, in late September 2008, it was announced that the telescope had failed. This left astronomers and the public wondering what had caused the failure and what it meant for the future of Hubble.
There are many theories about what caused the failure of Hubble. One theory is that the failure was due to age-related issues. Hubble was launched in 1990, and by 2008 it was more than two decades old. It is possible that the telescope’s age led to a failure in its systems.
Another possibility is that the failure was caused by a collision with a piece of space debris. In 2007, Hubble went into safe mode after it was hit by a piece of debris. It is possible that the collision in 2007 caused more damage that led to the telescope’s failure in 2008.
A third possibility is that the failure was due to a problem with the telescope’s gyroscopes. Hubble uses three gyroscopes to help it stay pointed in the right direction. In 2007, two of Hubble’s gyroscopes failed. It is possible that the failure of the two gyroscopes in 2007 led to the failure of the telescope in 2008.
Despite the failure of Hubble, astronomers have not given up on the telescope. In October 2008, it was announced that a new mission, called “Hubble Servicing Mission 4” or “Hubble SM4”, would be launched to try and fix the telescope. The mission was launched in May 2009 and was successful in fixing Hubble.