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Hubble Stops Sending Data, Mission On Hold

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the try-to-do-as-little-dying-as-possible dept.

mknewman writes to tell us that NASA is no longer receiving data from the Hubble Space Telescope, which could possibly delay the shuttle launch planned just two weeks from now. There is a backup system installed which may be used instead of training the astronauts on the installation of the new component, but that would itself leave no fallback option. "NASA is reviewing whether the mission should be delayed a couple of months so that plans can be made to send up a replacement part for the failed component, said NASA spokesman Michael Curie. It would take time to test and qualify the old replacement part and train the astronauts to install it in the telescope, Curie said. NASA also would have to work out new mission details for the astronauts who have trained for two years to carry out five Hubble repair spacewalks."

16 of 141 comments (clear)

  1. Thwack it... by Notquitecajun · · Score: 4, Funny

    Ah, just give it good ol' emergency repair plan "A." If that doesn't work, send up Richard Dean Andersen with some duct tape.

    1. Re:Thwack it... by Lectoid · · Score: 4, Funny

      Comon, we all know you have to send Clint Eastwood and Tommy Lee Jones. Space Cowboys was a documentary, right?

      --
      Is it just me, or do you hate it when people say "Is it just me..."?
    2. Re:Thwack it... by code_monkey_steve · · Score: 2, Funny

      If that doesn't work, send up Richard Dean Andersen with some duct tape.

      Wouldn't an F-302 be more useful than duct-tape?

      Wait, which show are we referencing, again?

    3. Re:Thwack it... by oldspewey · · Score: 3, Funny

      Option 1: Phone the manufacturer, arrange for a service call, take time off work to make sure I'm home, make small talk with a technician for 30-60 minutes while he diagnoses the same problem I already found, listen in disbelief when he tells me he doesn't have the appropriate part on hand, arrange for another service call, take more time off work ....

      Option 2: Hit the solenoid with a hammer.

      --
      If libertarians are so opposed to effective government, why don't they all move to Somalia?
    4. Re:Thwack it... by smaddox · · Score: 2, Funny

      I'm unaware of any solenoid valves on the Hubble Space Telescope.

  2. Congress Bail out the Hubble *NOW* by FireStormZ · · Score: 5, Funny

    After all the Hubble is less responsible for its state than Wall street is for where it ended up!

    --
    "Ahh! Arrogance and stupidity in the same package, how efficient of you!" --Londo Molari
    1. Re:Congress Bail out the Hubble *NOW* by eclectro · · Score: 2, Funny

      Yes, but the Hubble still needs a bail out.

      --
      Take the cheese to sickbay, the doctor should see it as soon as possible - B'Elanna Torres, "Learning Curve"
  3. This only means one thing... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Invasion.

  4. With apologies to The Bard by davidwr · · Score: 2, Funny

    Hubble, Hubble, toil and trouble, watch starfire burn with excitement bubble.

    --
    Knowledge is how to play a game, intelligence is how to win, wisdom is knowing what game to play.
  5. Oops? by MrNiceguy_KS · · Score: 1, Funny

    Overheard at NASA:

    "Dammit, who's turn was it to pay the Dish Network bill?"

    --
    Redundancy is good And also good.
  6. Bandwidth overload? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Maybe too many people were using the Hubble's bandwidth once they figured out that was cheaper than text messaging.

  7. Re:Better to have it fail now... by Sloppy · · Score: 4, Funny

    Why add a docking port if there's nothing in future that is going to dock with it?

    To increase its sale value, silly.

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    As copyright owner of this comment, I authorize everyone to defeat any technological measure which limits access to it.
  8. Suspended operations by MrNougat · · Score: 4, Funny

    The Hubble Space Telescope has suspended operations so that it can focus on solving the financial crisis.

    --
    Web 2.0 == Giant Blogspam Circle Jerk
  9. Mike Broke The Hubble! by MuscaDomestica · · Score: 2, Funny

    Damn you Nelson Destroyer of Worlds!

  10. Re:Tagged "oops" by sorak · · Score: 2, Funny

    I can't imagine a piece of kit on Earth surviving 18+ years with only five service calls.

    The Panasonic portable TV I left in a house I moved out of in 2004 or 5 (Paxil withdrawal, home foreclosure, bankrupcy, it's diaried at K5 somewhere) was the same one I watched Niel and Buzz land on the moon with!

    It had two repairs, despite falling out of moving vehicles, dropped, and suffering other indignities: The insulation on the power cord cracked and caused a short (fixed with electrical tape) and the tuner knob broke (fixed by using pliars to change channels).

    They don't make 'em like they used to.

    So you're saying we should send that television into space?

  11. I hope the NASA engineers... by billybob_jcv · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...can find their Windows/386 boot disk...