Is the Hubble Space Telescope Dead?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the operational status of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), particularly following a significant computer malfunction that led to its temporary shutdown. Participants explore the implications of this incident, the significance of HST in the history of scientific instruments, and the relationship between HST and the upcoming James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that a crucial component of HST stopped working on June 13, leading to its safe mode activation and subsequent operational issues.
  • Others mention that NASA is reviewing and updating operational procedures to switch to backup systems, with testing planned to assess the feasibility of this approach.
  • A later post reports that NASA successfully switched to backup hardware on July 15, allowing HST to resume operations.
  • Participants express opinions on the significance of HST, with some asserting it ranks among the most important scientific instruments in history.
  • There is discussion about the JWST, with some participants suggesting it is superior to HST, while others highlight the differences in their observational capabilities (infrared vs. visible light).
  • Concerns are raised regarding the potential impact on HST's observation programs if it were to be scrapped, especially given JWST's oversubscribed observing time.
  • Some participants reflect on the longevity of HST, noting it has exceeded its expected operational lifetime.
  • There are references to the Hubble Ultra Deep Field as a significant achievement, with participants sharing links and personal anecdotes related to HST's contributions to astronomy.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of agreement and disagreement regarding the significance of HST and the implications of its operational status. While some agree on its importance, others debate the future role of HST in light of JWST's capabilities. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the potential consequences of HST's operational challenges.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various assumptions about the operational longevity of HST and the expected launch timeline for JWST, highlighting uncertainties regarding the transition between the two telescopes and the implications for ongoing astronomical research.

russ_watters
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TL;DR
A computer glitch has rendered the HST inoperable. Is it the end?
I first saw note of this about a week ago and I don't think it has gotten enough attention:
On June 13, a crucial component that operated the telescope stopped working. The instrument automatically placed itself in safe mode and it notified NASA operators of the situation. The operators have tried valiantly to fix the wayward computer, but they failed. As of this Wednesday, the Hubble Space Telescope is not operational.
https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/30/opinions/hubble-telescope-glitch-opinion-lincoln/index.html

While I don't want to eulogize too soon, I'm wondering where the HST ranks in the annals of the most significant scientific instruments in human history. Surely it has to be near the top.
 
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Astronomy news on Phys.org
This July 4 article says:
Given the complexity of switching multiple systems over to their backups, the operations team is currently reviewing and updating all of Hubble‘s operations procedures, commands, and all other items relating to switching to backup hardware. When they are finished (expected for next week) the team will run a high-fidelity simulator to test their plan of execution and see if they can pull it off.
Edit:
Also Phil Plait who worked on Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS):
https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/hubble-on-the-bubble-can-nasa-fix-the-worlds-most-famous-telescope
 
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russ_watters said:
I'm wondering where the HST ranks in the annals of the most significant scientific instruments in human history. Surely it has to be near the top.
I think so too. :smile:
 
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russ_watters said:
I'm wondering where the HST ranks in the annals of the most significant scientific instruments in human history. Surely it has to be near the top.
The best photo ever taken - The Hubble Ultra Deep Field

heic0611b.jpg


 
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It appears that it lives on-

July 16, 2021 - NASA Successfully Switches to Backup Hardware on Hubble Space Telescope​

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NASA has successfully switched to backup hardware on the Hubble Space Telescope, including powering on the backup payload computer, on July 15. The switch was performed to compensate for a problem with the original payload computer that occurred on June 13 when the computer halted, suspending science data collection.
 
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It appears not only that it's alive, but it's well and returned to work!

Hubble Returns to Full Science Observations and Releases New Images​


NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope is back in business, exploring the universe near and far. The science instruments have returned to full operation, following recovery from a computer anomaly that suspended the telescope’s observations for more than a month.
 
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The James Webb is reported to be superior to the Hubble. It’s supposed to released in November. From what I know, they’ll work together, but now I’m wondering how if they have a plan for if the Hubble has to be scrapped? The James Webb has already oversubscribed observing time to different programs, so what happens to the programs/observation slots being ran through Hubble? It could be a mess.
 
Fervent Freyja said:
The James Webb is reported to be superior to the Hubble.
Not on the ground, it's not.
Fervent Freyja said:
It’s supposed to released in November.
We hope.
Fervent Freyja said:
The James Webb has already oversubscribed observing time to different programs, so what happens to the programs/observation slots being ran through Hubble?
They stop when Hubble does.

First, JWST is an infrared telescope, not a visible telescope like Hubble. Second, everyone applying for time on Hubble knows we are in year 32 of a 15 year expected lifetime.
 
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Vanadium 50 said:
we are in year 32 of a 15 year expected lifetime
Wow, I did not know that. Quite impressive. :smile:
 
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Vanadium 50 said:
Not on the ground, it's not.
Obviously.

Vanadium 50 said:
We hope.

What problems could occur that would push the release back? I think that it’s a go here. I’m betting before the year ends. Aren’t people pushing hard on getting it launched?
Vanadium 50 said:
First, JWST is an infrared telescope, not a visible telescope like Hubble. Second, everyone applying for time on Hubble knows we are in year 32 of a 15 year expected lifetime.
That all makes sense.
 
  • #13
DaveE said:
The best photo ever taken - The Hubble Ultra Deep Field
I posted this video before in the "Our Beautiful Universe" thread.
I like the video because it gives at least some intuition about the scales of space and time involved, and also about the development of galaxies and the estimated number of galaxies in the observable Universe.

Ultra Deep Field: Looking Out into Space, Looking Back into Time (Hubble Space Telescope)

This six-minute visual exploration of the Hubble Ultra Deep Field showcases the characteristics and contents of this landmark observation, as well as its three-dimensional nature across both space and time. In particular, galaxies are seen to more than 12 billion light-years away / 12 billion years ago, allowing astronomers to trace the development of galaxies across cosmic time. [...]

 
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