Hubble Telescope's Main Camera Shuts Down

(AP)  The primary camera on the Hubble Space Telescope has shut down and is likely to be only marginally restored, NASA said Monday, a collapse one astronomer called "a great loss."

While other scientific work can still be done by the aging observatory, the unit that failed, the Advanced Camera for Surveys, is the one most scientists depend upon. NASA scientists say they expect to be able to restore just one-third of its observation ability, probably by mid-February.

"We're not optimistic at all" about returning it to full function, said Dave Leckrone, a senior scientist on the Hubble at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt.

However, all is not lost. Next year NASA plans to send space shuttle astronauts to upgrade the popular telescope in a mission to install new instruments that will actually exceed the capabilities of the current system.

In the meantime, astronomers must fall back on the 16-year-old Hubble's other instruments.

"So, clearly the observations will continue, science will continue, but it's a great loss, no doubt. It's a great loss because this was a fantastic camera that just produced incredible science," said astronomer Mario Livio at the Space Telescope Science Institute, which coordinates use of the Hubble by the scientific community. He called the broken camera system a "serious workhorse."

The Hubble's main camera shut down over the weekend, the third outage in less than a year for the instrument. An initial investigation determined its backup power supply had failed, NASA said.

Installed during a March 2002 servicing mission, the Advanced Camera for Surveys increased Hubble's vision and has provided the clearest pictures yet of galaxy formation in the very early universe. The instrument consists of three electronic cameras, filters and dispersers that detect light from the ultraviolet to the near infrared.

It was the most heavily in demand from the astronomical community and accounted for two-thirds of the latest proposals for observing time on the Hubble, said Preston Burch, associate director and program manager for the Hubble Space Telescope at Goddard.

The ACS had been switched over to a backup power supply in June when its main power supply malfunctioned. In September, it automatically shut down again as operators were switching between two of its three instruments. Investigators believe debris stuck in a switch caused a voltage drop that shut down the instrument.

"I think it's important to remember that ACS was designed to work for five years. That's typically the design life of most of these instruments and it's pretty well met that," Burch said.

[agnim]

"Don't worry China will shoot it down soon!

Posted by bluestardad at 02:50 PM : Jan 30, 2007"

Ever thought that the satellite may have been damaged by China? LOL

[agnim]

"Doesn't take away from the science but after years of enjoying the pictures I kinda feel like when I found out santa wasn't real :(

Posted by bwright923 at 09:59 AM : Jan 30, 2007"

LOL

[bluestardad]

Don't worry China will shoot it down soon!

[abc222001-2009]

Most of us support space research, but now Hubble's main camera is dead, and who will be penalized?

All participant who have received credit in the past should now receive credit for the failure.

[bwright923]

I didn't believe that about all the pics being black and white so I googled it. Its true! Doesn't take away from the science but after years of enjoying the pictures I kinda feel like when I found out santa wasn't real :(

[lochlan-2009]

NASA has been itching for years to junk this telescope. They are hoping that if they can get rid of this one they'll be able to get congress to give some more tax dollars their way for a new telescope (and, of course, they can skim some cash off the top for their Research & Development corporate friends in return for upper management bribes and payoffs).

[panhandlpete]

Could it be that the "spy-people" have figured out how to engage the hubble telescope to look toward the earth as well as into space? Now, that would make the king want it fixed pronto.

Sure we have seen pictures, sure we have gained information, and lots of people were employed because of it.........BUT, is it worth the cost?

This neverending printing press in Washington needs to be fixed! Our very existence depends on it.

[kaliveotin]

Hubble has seen, discovered and proven more about our universe in a few years than all of mankind has in its entire history. It has put us hundreds of years ahead of where we would be without it. Those who question its worth or value of acomplishment are like algee, without any desire to understand or imagination of spirit.

[justfacts2]

NASA cannot understand why their popularity has slipped off. Gee, could it be that the average american is sick and tired of having billions of dollars shelled out for equipment that is only going to work for a short time? This is a prime example. I just wonder how much money this upgrade is going to cost us.

[bildooreilly]

You mean I won't get to see anymore snazzy paintings... Hubble is black and white, all this stuff you see is nothing but a cheap sci fi painting... now you got about 2 and a half months to fork up 1/3 of your income if you haven't already to pay for a delusion.