NASA puts Kepler observatory back into sleep mode

[Newsfeed]

NASA puts Kepler observatory back into sleep mode

NASA has put its Kepler spacecraft back into hibernation mode following issues with the probe’s ability to point its telescope accurately.

The space agency said it has put the space observatory into a “stable, no-fuel-use sleep mode” to preserve the science data collected during its last observations.

 

[MirageF1]

Pity, though it's done a sterling job anyway...detection of 2600 exoplanets

 

[Gordon_R]

Let it sleep in peace.

The TESS space telescope launched in 2018 is a worthy sucessor: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transiting_Exoplanet_Survey_Satellite

 

[SkippyRamirez]

"issues with the probe’s ability to point its telescope accurately. "

happens with age buddy, get well soon.

 

[Thor]

Kepler has done an amazing job for 10-year-old tech.

 

[Agent_Smith]

 

[genetic]

Kepler has done an amazing job for 10-year-old tech.

10 year old tech?

No - it's usually much older.

NASA's spacecraft are incredibly optimised, requiring code that it only actually needs. No overheads.

The Mars Pathfinder launched in 1997 used a 2MHz Intel 80C85 processor from the late 1970's.

The Hubble Space Telescope runs on a 486 processor. The latest Mars Rover Curiosity launched in 2012, runs on an old Motorola PowerPC 750 found in old iMacs from 1997.

You don't need a screaming multicore processor if the spacecraft doesn't need it.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/why-todays-spacecraft-still-run-on-1990s-processors/

 

[Thor]

Absolutely mind-boggling what can be done with so little tech. Just makes one think how underoptimized our phones and computers actually are.

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

isnt hubble also in deep-sleep mode?
so instead of throwing it away (graveyard orbit) NASA decided to keep it around for occasional use?

how very environmental of them

 

[ArmatageShanks]

10 year old tech?

No - it's usually much older.

NASA's spacecraft are incredibly optimised, requiring code that it only actually needs. No overheads.

The Mars Pathfinder launched in 1997 used a 2MHz Intel 80C85 processor from the late 1970's.

The Hubble Space Telescope runs on a 486 processor. The latest Mars Rover Curiosity launched in 2012, runs on an old Motorola PowerPC 750 found in old iMacs from 1997.

You don't need a screaming multicore processor if the spacecraft doesn't need it.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/why-todays-spacecraft-still-run-on-1990s-processors/

Efficiency

 

[sajunky]

Efficiency

Resistance to radiation.

 

[genetic]

Resistance to radiation.

Indeed. The CPU's that NASA use are not typical off the shelf components - they have been developed specifically for the harshness of space.

 

[genetic]

isnt hubble also in deep-sleep mode?
so instead of throwing it away (graveyard orbit) NASA decided to keep it around for occasional use?

how very environmental of them

No it is not.

It is still very much in active use.

https://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/hubble-history-timeline

 

[Gordon_R]

Data from previous Kepler observations is still being verified by Hubble to produce important discoveries: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-45707309

Astronomers have announced the possible discovery of the first known moon outside our Solar System.

This "exomoon" is not like any in our cosmic neighbourhood: it's the size of Neptune and orbits a planet the size of Jupiter - but with 10 times the mass.

The object was spotted in data from Nasa's Kepler spacecraft, and later observed using the Hubble telescope.

 

[Gordon_R]

Hubble also in trouble: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-45788412

The Hubble Space Telescope is operating with only essential functions after it lost one of the gyroscopes needed to point the spacecraft.

The observatory, described as one of the most important scientific instruments ever created, was placed in "safe mode" over the weekend, while scientists try to fix the problem.

 

[Kloofvreter]

 

[namzsteve]

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[Kloofvreter]

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