NASA Looks at New Hubble Problem, Dang It

NASA engineers Monday were examining a problem with the Hubble Space Telescope’s Advanced Camera for Surveys.

National Aeronautical and Space Administration officials say the observatory was placed in a protective safe mode at 7:34 a.m. Saturday when a camera stopped functioning and the input power feed to its electronics package failed.

The instrument had been operating on its redundant electronics since June 30, when NASA engineers moved from a primary, electronics package due to a malfunction. Engineers are assessing the option of returning the camera’s science operations to the primary electronics so observations can resume in a reduced mode.

Hubble was recovered from safe mode around 2 a.m. Sunday, with observations to resume this week using the remaining Hubble instruments.

A review board appointed to investigate the problem is to present its findings and recommendations by March 2.

The Advanced Camera for Surveys is a third-generation instrument consisting of three electronic cameras, filters and dispersers that detect light from the ultraviolet to the near infrared. The instrument was installed during a March 2002 servicing mission.

The Hubble Space Telescope is a joint NASA and European Space Agency project.