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Published online 30 September 2008 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news.2008.1141
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Hubble computer glitch holds up servicing mission
Aging telescope will wait until February 2009 for replacement hardware.
A problem with the Hubble Space Telescope's science-data computer is so severe that a scheduled servicing mission has been delayed until at least February 2009 to give scientists time to prepare a replacement system.
Hubble's science data formatter (SDF) stores and transmits much of the telescope's observational data to ground-based computers.
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Even pocket change from the ongoing Wall Street fiasco will allow early replacement of the Hubble telescope ...
as explained here: http://www.ghostnasa.com/ - 1. the launch delay shows how fragile the Hubble and the SM4 mission are! - 2. it's not true the failed computer needs to be replaced, the (never used) backup processor may work 18 years like the main system! - 3. the REAL lucky part of this delay isn't the Hubble but the ASTRONAUTS that have SAVED their lives that was in trouble with a so DANGEROUS and USELESS mission!!! - 4. also in 2009 the SM4 mission will always be TOO dangerous since there's NO "ISS safe haven" near the Hubble!!! - 5. an SM4 mission failure may KILL two Shuttles (a $20 Bn value!) and up to 11 astronauts!!! - 6. the $1.7 Bn (now more, due to the launch delay) "price" of the SM4 could be better used to faster the ESAS plan ...just see today's news about the Orion PDR delay to 2010... delay after delay, the Orion risks to fly in 2018 or later!!! - 7. an SM4 mission failure could be THE END of the Shuttle program and (perhaps) THE END of ALL manned Space programs for a LONG LONG time!!! - 8. there are several ways to upgrade the Hubble without risk to KILL up to 11 astronauts!!! - 9. also without any upgrade, the Hubble may still live 3-4 years (or more) - 10. the Hubble done a great scientific work, but, soon, MANY (new and upgraded) Earth-based telescopes will give us soon the SAME or BETTER scientific results than an upgraded Hubble!!! - 11. seen from this side, the "advantages" of the SM4 are nearly ZERO!!! - 12. the (possible) big TRAGEDY of TWO Shuttles and TWO crews LOST in space with (after a week or more of AGONY followed "live" minute by minute on TV all over the world!!!) will KILL the Shuttle program in a day, the ISS program in a week, the Constellation in a month and the full NASA in a year (or less) canceling in A FEW DAYS the prestige and respect gained by NASA in 50 years of life!!!!!!! - 13 (thirteen...) the 11 astronauts LOST will make (also) 10 widow(er)s and 23 orphans that will appear everywhere (and for years) to talk about their tragedy and the big NASA mistake!!! - all that, for NOTHING since the Hubble has ALREADY accomplished 99% of its mission in the last 18 years (+3/5 more years of work WITHOUT the SM4) - just a friendly advice "DELETE the Hubble mission NOW and use your time and money for better things!" ---- for those who are superstitious and believe in fate... 11 astronauts + 2 shuttles = 13 (like the most lucky Apollo mission...)