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#720
by
collectSPACE
on 29 Sep, 2008 16:44
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What is A side and B side? Some kind of backup software? Why would the Hubble service mission be delayed to 2009? Can't they capture it without Hubble control system?
Without a functional CU/SDF, there is no way to send/retrieve data from Hubble's instruments. CU/SDF-B is the back-up control unit to CU/SDF-A (otherwise referred to as "Side A" and "Side B").
So while the shuttle could capture Hubble, there would be little point to upgrading/servicing it if after release it was unable to process commands.
A summary based on a NASA write-up:
The CU/SDF receives ground commands, data requests, science and engineering data, and system signals. Two examples of system signals are "time tags" -- clock signals that synchronize the entire spacecraft — and "processor interface tables" -- communications codes. The CU/SDF transmits commands and requests after formatting them so that the specific destination unit can read them. For example, ground commands and support system module (SSM, the science instrument enclosure like the dome of an Earth-based observatory) commands are transmitted with different formats. Ground commands use 27-bit words and SSM commands use 16-bit words. The formatter translates each command signal into a common format. The CU/SDF also reformats and sends engineering and science data.
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#721
by
collectSPACE
on 29 Sep, 2008 16:49
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Hubble can't be captured if it can't be controlled. But again, if it can't be controlled, it's useless so there's no point.
Borrowing a minor quote from an L2 memo, "The spacecraft is still operational but unable to operate the instruments."
The CU/SDF-A failure does not prevent control of the Hubble and thus would not prevent capture, but the telescope's instruments would be useless (or at least down to a single control string should 'B' be brought online successfully).
It would be delayed until 2009 because you'd have to train the astronauts on replacing it, something that cannot be done in a week.
There is also time needed to test the back-up CU/SDF unit.
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#722
by
psloss
on 29 Sep, 2008 16:59
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Attitude control doesn't sound like it's an issue in this instance, but for background on dealing with attitude control, would suggest reading Harwood's STS-103 archive:
http://www.cbsnews.com/network/news/space/STS-103_Archive.txtLook under: "Hubble gyroscope fails; science operations suspended until shuttle repair mission (11/15/99)".
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#723
by
rdale
on 29 Sep, 2008 17:06
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#724
by
dsmillman
on 29 Sep, 2008 17:36
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#725
by
Ronsmytheiii
on 29 Sep, 2008 17:47
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In the teleconference announcement it is stated that STS-125 is being delayed until Feb. 2009:
http://www.nasa.gov/news/media/newsaudio/index.html
So does this mean Atlantis will be rolled back to the VAB? also, will the hubble components be returned to the PHSF?
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#726
by
Lee Jay
on 29 Sep, 2008 18:13
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This has just happened, and the agency needs time to get its arms around it. It's even possible that the results of the switch to the B side will impact forward plans. In short, no one knows the forward plans yet because there are no forward plans yet. There are only options at this point.
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#727
by
rdale
on 29 Sep, 2008 18:16
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In the teleconference announcement it is stated that STS-125 is being delayed until Feb. 2009:
They removed the Feb '09 part of the announcement apparently... In any case, the presser is scheduled for 6pm EDT / 22Z.
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#728
by
dsmillman
on 29 Sep, 2008 18:25
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In the teleconference announcement it is stated that STS-125 is being delayed until Feb. 2009:
They removed the Feb '09 part of the announcement apparently... In any case, the presser is scheduled for 6pm EDT / 22Z.
In the version I printed the last three words of the second sentence were
"until next February".
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#729
by
chezbippy12
on 29 Sep, 2008 18:40
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Yes I seen it to. But thats good. Maybe we have a chance of launch on Oct 14.. I am hoping atleast..
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#730
by
I14R10
on 29 Sep, 2008 18:42
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It's even worse than i thought.
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#731
by
psloss
on 29 Sep, 2008 18:43
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FYI, the nasa.gov pages are now saying "Fixing the problem will delay next month's space shuttle Atlantis' Hubble servicing mission."
The headline on the main shuttle page is "NASA to Discuss Hubble Anomaly and Servicing Mission Launch Delay"
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/Sounds like a delay.
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#732
by
rdale
on 29 Sep, 2008 18:44
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It's even worse than i thought.
What is worse?
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#733
by
glanmor05
on 29 Sep, 2008 18:45
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Yes I seen it to. But thats good. Maybe we have a chance of launch on Oct 14.. I am hoping atleast..
Surely not?
Even if side B works, they're bound to want to fly up replacement hardware for A or at least add additional EVA tasks (more training and re-prioritisation) for 125.
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#734
by
collectSPACE
on 29 Sep, 2008 18:45
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MEDIA ADVISORY: M08-187
NASA TO DISCUSS HUBBLE ANOMALY AND SERVICING MISSION LAUNCH DELAY
WASHINGTON -- NASA will host a media teleconference at 6 p.m. EDT today to discuss a significant Hubble Space Telescope anomaly that occurred this weekend affecting the storage and transmittal of science data to Earth. Fixing the problem will delay next month's space shuttle Atlantis Hubble servicing mission.
The briefing participants are:
- Ed Weiler, associate administrator of the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington
- John Shannon, Shuttle Program manager at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston
- Preston Burch, Hubble manager at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.
To participate in the teleconference, reporters in the U.S. should call 1-800-369-6087 and use the pass code Hubble. International reporters should call 1-773-756-0843.
As a result of the launch delay, NASA has postponed the planned Oct. 3 Flight Readiness Review and subsequent news conference. The review will occur at a later date.
The malfunctioning system is Hubble's Control Unit/Science Data Formatter - Side A. Shortly after 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27, the telescope's spacecraft computer issued commands to safe the payload computer and science instruments when errors were detected within the Science Data Formatter. An attempt to reset the formatter and obtain a dump of the payload computer's memory was unsuccessful.
Additional testing demonstrates Side A no longer supports the transfer of science data to the ground. A transition to the redundant Side B should restore full functionality to the science instruments and operations.
The transition to Side B operations is complex. It requires that five other modules used in managing data also be switched to their B-side systems. The B-sides of these modules last were activated during ground tests in the late 1980s and/or early 1990, prior to launch.
The Hubble operations team has begun work on the Side B transition and believes it will be ready to reconfigure Hubble later this week. The transition will happen after the team completes a readiness review.
Hubble could return to science operations in the immediate future if the reconfiguration is successful. Even so, the agency is investigating the possibility of flying a back-up replacement system, which could be installed during the servicing mission.
Audio of the teleconference will be streamed live at:
http://www.nasa.gov/newsaudio
Related images for the briefing will be available at:
http://www.nasa.gov/hubble
For more information about the Space Shuttle Program, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
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#735
by
psloss
on 29 Sep, 2008 18:49
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If anyone can post audio of the telecon afterwards, I would definitely appreciate it. Thanks.
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#736
by
ChrisC
on 29 Sep, 2008 18:51
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Well, this could be worse. It could have happened during STS-125, or after. At least now we've got a chance to isolate, plan and fix.
Still hoping for an October launch! To anyone about to point me to clear statements that it won't, I say lalalalalalalala
At least until we get through the 6pm presser and hear more.
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#737
by
rdale
on 29 Sep, 2008 18:51
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I'll record it.
And Chris - it won't launch in October.
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#738
by
Bubbinski
on 29 Sep, 2008 19:15
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There's a silver lining in every cloud. I may now be able to go to KSC to attend this launch. It'll either be that or the Ares I-X launch (wouldn't that be further pushed back from April/June now?).
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#739
by
DaveS
on 29 Sep, 2008 19:17
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I'll record it.
And Chris - it won't launch in October.
True. They would like HST to be in the best possible shape after this final servicing mission and leaving it
one step away from complete failure is
not the best possible shape.
At least until we get through the 6pm presser and hear more.