NASA’s IBEX probe hasn’t responded yet after problems with on-board computer

(NASA / GSFC https://go.nasa.gov/3yeuxk3)

The NASA IBEX research probe, which is studying the boundaries of the heliosphere and the processes going on there, went into safe mode in mid-February.

According to NASA, the action was due to an on-board computer failure.

Engineers are still looking for a solution to the problem, but so far the satellite is not responding to commands from Earth.

IBEX (Interstellar Boundary Explorer) was launched by NASA into near-Earth orbit in 2008.

The probe is equipped with two instruments for detecting energetic neutral atoms of different energies flying towards the heliosphere from the region of interstellar space.

These particles are born during the process of recharging charged particles of the solar wind on neutral atoms from the interstellar medium.

Thanks to this, it is possible to obtain information about the boundary zone of the heliosphere and the processes taking place there.

In particular, IBEX discovered an unusual structure, called the IBEX ribbon, in the region between the internal shock wave and the heliopause.

The probe saw the heliospheric hoop for the first time, and also determined that the composition of the modern neighborhoods of the Solar System differs from the composition of the Sun and the inner part of the Solar System.

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FAILURE
On February 18, 2023, during the next communication session with the Earth, the IBEX on-board computer unexpectedly rebooted, and the satellite itself went into safe mode.

Similar situations have happened before, but this time the specialists were unable to restore control of the device after its reboot, as well as the restart of ground systems.

At the moment, engineers have come to the conclusion that the commands coming on board the device from the Earth are accepted, but are not processed.

Because of that, the team started a search for a solution to the problem.

If it is still not found, then on March 4, the satellite must perform an autonomous reboot and restart the power supply system.

So far, NASA hasn’t said anything about the probe.

Sources:

• NASA: https://blogs.nasa.gov/sunspot/2023/02/24/mission-update-ibex-spacecraft-now-in-contingency-mode/
• Space.com: https://www.space.com/nasa-ibex-flight-computer-reset-february-2023

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