Hubble Telescope Shut Down for Fourth Day as Computer From 1980s Hit With Problems
The Hubble Space Telescope entered its fourth day of inoperation Wednesday after the machinery was hit with computer problems, NASA announced. The technological issues have put all astronomical viewing at a standstill and left the observatory idle.
The computer in question dates back to the 1980s and is responsible for controlling science instruments within the telescope. It shut down Sunday, with a damaged memory designated as a possible cause, the Associated Press reported.
Flight controllers with NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland attempted to reboot the computer on Monday, but they were unsuccessful. They are now in the process of transitioning to a backup memory unit, and if the switch is successful, they will then give the telescope a test day before turning the science instruments back on and proceeding with astronomical viewing.
Launched in 1990, Hubble is showing more and more signs of aging, despite a series of repairs and updates by spacewalking astronauts during NASA's shuttle era. The idled computer was installed during the fifth and final service call in 2009.
