Hubble Space Telescope may now depend on a computer that hasn't booted since 2009 - The Register

The Hubble Space Telescope may need to boot up a backup computer that's been dormant since 2009 to carry on operations.

At first, NASA thought the issue was down to a memory module that had failed due to an accumulation of radiation damage, which was causing the instrumentation computer to lock up.

Switching to a backup memory module didn't fix the problem.

Now the agency says the memory errors may be a symptom of another fault, rather than the root cause, and it may be time to switch to a backup instrument computer.

Specifically, the agency believes the current instrument computer's Central Processing Module (CPM) and Standard Interface (STINT), which connects the CPM to Hubble's other systems, may be broken, and thus hopes the backup instrument computer's CPM and STINT are in working shape.

NASA may therefore power up the backup computer and test it before making it the active instrumentation computer and restoring Hubble's scientific operations.

The backup computer has not been powered on since its installation in 2009.

The unit containing the computer systems worked well for 18 years though suffered a fault in 2008, and in 2009, the unit was replaced.

Now it may be time to see if the backup instrument computer – known formally as the backup payload computer – in that unit is working.

We note that the replacement unit contains the same 1980s-era parts as the original computer unit.

If the backup payload computer’s CPM and STINT hardware is turned on, several days will be required to assess the computer performance and restore normal science operations.

The backup computer has not been powered on since its installation in 2009; however, it was thoroughly tested on the ground prior to installation on the spacecraft.

South Korea, long known for tolerating extremely long working hours, is on track to reduce the number of hours employers can require from their workforce to 52 per week from July 1st

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