Computer problems plagued by the Hubble Space Telescope continue this week. NASA is now preparing to switch to backup hardware to resolve the problem.The Hubbles problems started in June when the payload computer that controls the scientific instruments on orbiting telescope, Hubble, went offline. All instruments went into safe mode when this happened. This means they all should still be functional and healthy, but are not currently collecting data.NASA's ground team tried many fixes to find the root cause of the problem. NASA's latest update confirms that the problem lies in the Science Instrument Command and Data Handling unit (SI C&DH). There are many pieces of hardware that could have been responsible.NASA has updated its website with the following information: NASA is currently examining the Command Unit/Science Data Formatter. This sends and formats data and commands. The Power Control Unit also has a power regulator that is intended to provide steady voltage to the payload computer hardware.If one of these systems is the problem, the solution would be to move from the existing units to backups. The majority of Hubble hardware comes with both primary and backup versions. This allows the team to switch between the two in the event of hardware failures. It can be difficult to switch between backup units. Due to the interconnected nature of the systems, it is necessary that several pieces of hardware are turned off before the backup SDF/CU/POWER regulator can be switched on.The team is currently preparing to switch to backup hardware next week. They also tested the switching process with a simulator. This isn't the first time this has been done. NASA reported that the team made a similar switch in 2008. This allowed Hubble to continue science operations even after a CU/SDF failed. In 2009, a servicing mission replaced the entire SI C&DH module with the current SI C&DH.Editors' Recommendations
