Working for an
Julianne at CV has the latest news
To cut a long story short, they think they know what the problem is and they're going ahead with the switch to the spare "side B" electronics.
Fine Guidance Sensor astrometry programs are contuing, and I hear that NICMOS will be warmed up and they think it will come back on when the Science Data Formatter is functioning again.
Given the delay to Cycle 17 and Servicing Mission 4, don't be surprised if there is a small mid-cycle call for proposals for NICMOS and WFPC2 science only to fill the observing schedule. I'd guess either before christmas or just after, but that is a guess.
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It is nice to hear about FGS science still ongoing.
Hopefully the Cryocooler diagnoses is correct, and we will get NICMOS back after warm up.
Posted by: Brad Holden | October 11, 2008 4:24 PM