Space Station Computer Failure

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Back Up Computer Not Responding to Commands

The Mission Control team at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston confirmed Friday night that a backup computer on the exterior of the International Space Station (ISS) called a Multiplexer-Demultiplexer (MDM) is not responding to commands. The station's MDM computers control some systems associated with robotics aboard the space station. The primary MDM operating aboard the space station is functioning normally and there is no immediate impact to space station operations. The computer outage does not pose a risk to the six crew members aboard the space station. ISS teams are assessing next steps to attempt to bring the computer back online or replace it. Replacing the backup MDM, if needed, would require a spacewalk. The backup MDM would provide redundancy for robotic systems that will be needed to attach the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft currently scheduled to launch on Monday and rendezvous with the ISS on Wednesday. NASA is continuing to work toward a Monday launch of the SpaceX cargo resupply mission pending further evaluations by the ISS Program.

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[taniwha]

They need some of these to the rescue

LONDON: Researchers have developed a climbing robot that has dry but sticky gecko-like feet and can crawl around an orbiting spacecraft to maintain and repair it.

With the invention of the new robot, astronauts won't have to risk their lives in daring spacewalks to fix things like they did last month on the International Space Station to repair a cooling system.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/Now-sticky-feet-robots-to-fix-space-stations/articleshow/28703540.cms

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Space Station Live: Walking in Space to Fix a Computer

Space Station Live commentator Amiko Kauderer interviews International Space Station Operations and Integration Manager Kenny Todd about the failed Multiplexer Demultiplexer (MDM) on ISS and the spacewalk to fix it. Todd also gave a status for the upcoming SpaceX Dragon-3 launch. This interview aired during Space Station Live on April 14, 2014.

Credit: NASA

Source: NASA - Multimedia

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Astronauts Prep for Spacewalk as Mission Managers Evaluate Busy Schedule

The astronauts of the International Space Station’s Expedition 39 crew focused Tuesday on preparations for a contingency spacewalk to be conducted in the next week or so. Meanwhile station program managers and SpaceX officials are working toward scheduling dates for the next launch attempt for Dragon cargo spacecraft and that contingency spacewalk, while managing all this around the planned undocking and redocking of a Russian cargo craft next week.

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[Waspie_Dwarf]

Space Station Live: Spacewalk to Replace a Failed Computer

Public Affairs Officer Amiko Kauderer and NASA Astronaut Chris Cassidy discussed upcoming EVA 26 to be conducted by Expedition 39 Flight Engineers Steve Swanson and Rick Mastracchio. They will replace a failed backup computer relay box also known as a multiplexer-demultiplexer (MDM).

Credit: NASA

Source: NASA - Multimedia