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Hubble Stops Sending Data, Mission On Hold
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."
the "thwack" repair method seldom lasts long
Almost three years ago, our dishwasher (which was only a year old at the time) stopped working. After a bit of troubleshooting I determined that the solenoid valve in the water intake was shot - my multimeter indicated that it was receiving an electrical signal, but the valve wouldn't open so the dishwasher couldn't fill.
I whacked it with a hammer and it's been working flawlessly ever since.
If libertarians are so opposed to effective government, why don't they all move to Somalia?
My understanding was that Hubble had a life expectancy of 20 years. It was launched in 1990, so going dark in 2008 is perhaps a little premature but hardly what I'd call a failure.
If libertarians are so opposed to effective government, why don't they all move to Somalia?
Probably, but whether the cure is a good thwack or electrical tape, you still have to take the thing apart.
It sounds like some waterproofing dried up and cracked and caused a short when water got in it. A little duct tape and electrical tape may be all you need.
Free Martian Whores!
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.
Free Martian Whores!
In case anybody was wondering, because I was...
It was launched in 1990 for a 15 year mission, extended to 20 after some servicing. It was expected to last until 2010 (the year we make contact? sorry I could not help it) so its already done its job very well.
As I understand it Interferometry can largely do a better job from the surface, please correct me if I am wrong...
And as pointed out elsewhere they are short on shuttle flights and 700Bn down, so its not looking good for Hubble.
I once saw some old video from one of the Apollo landings where the color wheel on one of the fixed cameras got stuck. Ground control asks one of the astronauts to take a look at it, and he slowly bounces over to it and THWACK - hits it with a gloved hand and gets the color wheel unstuck. If anyone knows where I can find that on the web, let me know... it's one of my favorite Apollo clips.
I actually used duct tape on duct, once. I was venting the propane gas drier outside for a buddy of mine and had none of the 100 MPH tape. The 100 MPH tape is essentially duct tape on steroids. I could be biased but I have used both commercial and military and, well, I have to say that the difference is obvious to me at least. It is VERY sticky and VERY strong compared to the stuff you get at your local hardware store. Again, that could be observational bias, it's not like I've stress tested the two under various conditions to see the result and measure the result or anything...
Oddity note: Once I was out of boot I would leave a small piece of this tape on the stock of my rifle. It allowed me to put my face to it and feel where it was and get into a firing position more quickly and accurately. The subtle feel was enough, my rifle was sighted in at 500 yds and, it is hard to explain, to feel where you *should* be without needing to sight in (like you'll have time for THAT in combat) to adjust for a shorter or longer range is... Hmm... Almost like magic except nothing like it.
Err... I drove maggots around and brought the maggots supplies while they were shitbags in OCS. (Later they'd be my leaders.) It was a near constant that I had to be able to hump 20 miles, show them how to get unstuck without a tow vehicle, bivie with them for a few days, and constantly have to prove how a "Real Marine" was prepared and could fire his rifle better than the maggots and shitbags. (Maggots earned their way in. Shitbags earned their way in but came via nepotism. "You are not your daddy's sperm shitbag! Did you fuck your daddy to make you? Did you fuck your mother? No shitbag? Well the whole platoon is going to fuck her tonight shitbag. While you watch. I'm going first, let's see if you can build some muscles up shitbag. Drop and give me fifty." OCS in the Marines is probably not what people expect.)
Sorry - I came back before hitting submit in an attempt to see if I should censor the text above. I opt not to. As tempting as it is to not offend I am more willing to ensure that the historical value (if any) remains true.
We put splints in place with this tape. We held things meant to make loud booms together with it. We taped maggots to hot steam pipes when it was suggested we do so with it. (You can tape a maggot - you can not tape a shitbag. Yes, this is hazing, yes this is the Marines. Yes, I think that this was required. Don't like it, don't serve. 'Snot PC or anything but we need tough people making tough choices at a time when failure is not an option.) There are stories of patched airplanes and there was a story floating around about a patched chopper rotor but, frankly, I don't believe that one.
Anyhow, I have rambled on long enough but want to continue for a moment. I apologize, ahead of time, for having taken up your time with the post but it seemed as good a place as any to ramble about it. I have some strange (by many opinions) views of how things should be. When we picked up new medals, awards, ranks if you will we had a ritual. The blouse was worn as all Marines wear it but the people getting their medals (think the pins that have backs on them) would stand there. First the issuing officer would give you the backs to the medals. He'd then take the medal and *press* it into you. He was gentle. You would remain at attention for this. The remainder of the squad would then come along and PUNCH that medal into you. Yes, meaning you pried it out of either bone or tissue when they were done. And you did so with pride. And you did so while remaining at attention. You look beyond the people, you look beyond the pain.
To most who haven't served that would seem barbaric. Indeed it is. Having "punched chests" and had my chest punched enough I can assure you that I never harbored any ill will towards those doing so and, in fact, I believe I am stronger for it. If one can't handle that then it is my belief that they don't belong in the Marines who's job consists of killing, dying, living through pain, and being first and foremost a rifleman.
This is now way off topic but I figured I'd better explain the latter so that the entirety made sense.
"So long and thanks for all the fish."