Hubble NICMOS Instrument Experiences Anomaly
Written by Nancy Atkinson
NICMOS
A cooling system for the Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS) science instrument aboard the Hubble telescope experienced an anomaly during a restart, causing the instrument to go into safe mode. After a couple of additional restarts, the problem still persists, and a decision was made for NICMOS to "stand down" while engineers study the anomaly and allow the cooling system to warm up, which may take a couple of weeks. In the short term, this will affect planned science observations, and engineers are hoping to avoid any long term complications. At this point, if the problem cannot be fixed from the ground, it is unclear how it might affect the upcoming servicing mission, scheduled for an Oct. 10 launch.
New software was uploaded last week to the computer that controls Hubble's five science instruments to get the telescope ready for the upcoming servicing mission (SM4). Installation of the software requires putting all of the telescope's science instruments into safe mode configuration for a short period of time.
About six hours after the system was reactivated, at about 4 a.m. EDT on Sept. 11, the NICMOS anomaly was seen. The cooling system put itself into safe mode after seeing too high a speed in the circulator pump operation. After studying data, flight controllers modified operating protection parameters and attempted a restart of the system on Sunday, Sept. 14. The circulator system again indicated a high speed violation so the system was returned to safe mode.
Engineers believe the ice particles in the cooling loop could be causing the problem. With some small adjustments in start-up procedures, engineers think the cooling system can be successfully reactivated. The flight team tried another restart Monday evening (9/15). The anomaly was still seen after that restart, so the Hubble Project's plan now is to stand down from any additional attempts to restart. Engineers will study the anomaly while waiting until the cooling system has been allowed to warm somewhat, which may take several weeks.
The impact to planned NICMOS science operations involves approximately 70 exposures from three guest observer programs and additional exposures from two NICMOS internal calibration programs. Additionally, all NICMOS science has been removed from this week’s observation schedule. Sixty-one orbits of NICMOS science were scheduled for the week between September 15 and September 21.
The servicing mission already has a jam-packed schedule, and its uncertain if any last minute additions to the mission would be possible.
Source: NASA
Filed under: Hubble
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September 17th, 2008 at 5:05 am
Obvious question: Does it make sense to service the Hubble if NICMOS is not operational?
Considering the costs and risks, would it make more sense to build a new, better telescope – perhaps one designed for regular robotic servicing missions?
September 17th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Did they try and uninstall Vista?
September 17th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Yeah, sounds like a problem with SP1.
September 17th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
@Ayti: Your cost-benefit analysis seems slightly out of balance here. "Oh, NICMOS may be broken – let's leave the shuttle on the ground and build a new space telescope from scratch instead!" Actually, WFC3, a new instrument that the Servicing Mission 4 will install, will be much more powerful than NICMOS in the NIR.
@Leon, Jon Hanford: "We told them to use Linux, but nooo, they wanted Goggle Chrome…"
Finally, I will not that this comes at an extremely inopportune time, seeing that NICMOS could have been used to observe GRB 080913, the new most distant ever GRB…
September 18th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Had to wait for the cooling unit to heat up? It's not everyday I hear that one. I know what it means, it just sounds pretty funny
September 18th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
@Don Alexander:
Take note, I asked two questions – neither one rhetorical.
A shuttle launch costs more than $500 million. A servicing mission adds significant money to that.
Two shuttles are ready for this mission adding $100 million – assuming they don't need the second for a rescue mission.
My cost-benefit analysis is just fine – it raises questions and draws no rash conclusions.
You've ignored my serious questions and placed idiotic words in my mouth – that's an ad hominem.
You conclude that the a serviced Hubble will obviate the loss of NICMOS – You assume a great deal. Like a gambler playing with house money.