daguin
0
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2008
- Messages
- 15,989
- Points
- 113
After rocketing into deep space and passing its initial tests, the Kepler telescope began its search for planets around other stars on May 12, 2009.
Engineers designed the spacecraft to last four years, and apparently the warranty has expired.
Last Sunday, four years to the day after science observations began, a component critical to pointing the spacecraft failed.
Kepler placed itself in safe mode, a kind of electronic hibernation, and chances are not good that it can resume its work.
More at -- Kepler Goes Down ? and Probably Out - News from Sky & Telescope - SkyandTelescope.com
Peace,
dave
Engineers designed the spacecraft to last four years, and apparently the warranty has expired.
Last Sunday, four years to the day after science observations began, a component critical to pointing the spacecraft failed.
Kepler placed itself in safe mode, a kind of electronic hibernation, and chances are not good that it can resume its work.
More at -- Kepler Goes Down ? and Probably Out - News from Sky & Telescope - SkyandTelescope.com
Peace,
dave
Last edited: