>"They're very primitive computers compared to what's in your cell phone,"
I do not understand why they can't just swap out the computer for a better and more modern one. Am I missing something here?
I do not understand why they can't just swap out the computer for a better and more modern one. Am I missing something here?
The space vehicles we used for this purpose have been retired and we have no replacements.
When dealing with high-latency, high-radiation environments, more modern isn't necessarily better: denser ICs mean greater susceptibility to radiation (and consequently more expensive hardening). They also can't exactly fly up there and swap out random bits on short notice -- I'm not sure if the US even has a the current capability to perform physical maintenance on the Hubble.
> Hertz said that because Hubble was designed to be serviced by the space shuttle and the space shuttle fleet has since been retired, there are no future plans to service the outer space observatory.