Hubble returns to science operations on backup payload computer - NASASpaceFlight.com - NASASpaceflight.com

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NASA teams have successfully resurrected the iconic Hubble Space Telescope after it first experienced problems with an onboard computer on June 13 and suspended all science operations

The telescope is now fully operational and the switch to the backup hardware — which included powering on the backup payload computer — was performed successfully on July 16

With all its science instruments back online, the collection of science data resumed on July 17. 

Once Hubble’s main computer recognized the payload computer halt, it immediately put the telescope into safe mode, where all science instruments were shut down and only essential telescope systems, such as power and communication systems, are operational

All instruments on the Hubble Space Telescope are now in operational status, and science data is once again being collected to further our understanding of the universe

— Hubble (@NASAHubble) July 17, 2021

The Hubble team was able to pinpoint the underlying problem in the Power Control Unit (PCU) of the telescope’s payload computer

The PCU and the payload computer reside in the Science Instrument Command and Data Handling (SI C&DH) unit, which controls, coordinates, and monitors Hubble’s science instruments

After a successful switch, the teams monitored the hardware, ensured everything was working as expected and started the process of recovering the science instruments out of their safe mode configurations

Hubble’s payload computer is tasked with coordinating and operating the many science instruments onboard the telescope

This payload computer is a 1980s NASA Standard Spacecraft Computer-1 (NSSC-1) system located in Hubble’s Science Instrument Command and Data Handling Unit