Photo credit: science.nasa.gov
Astronaut Set to Repair NASA’s X-ray Telescope on Space Station
NASA astronaut Nick Hague is preparing to undertake a spacewalk on January 16 to install patches on the Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) X-ray telescope, which is currently operating aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Accompanying him will be fellow astronaut Suni Williams, as they tackle various tasks during this mission.
This operation marks a significant milestone, as it will be the first time since the Hubble Space Telescope servicing missions in 2009 that a NASA observatory undergoes repairs in orbit.
Hague, along with other astronauts including Don Pettit, has undergone extensive training at NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) in Houston, which consists of a large pool specifically designed for simulating spacewalk conditions. The training sessions took place in preparation for NICER’s maintenance activities, focusing on the delicate maneuvering required to execute the repairs efficiently.
“In the NBL, we aim to replicate the conditions that astronauts will face during their spacewalk,” explained Lucas Widner, a flight controller at KBR and NASA Johnson. Widner noted the excitement among the crew as they shift focus from traditional maintenance tasks to restoring a science mission to full operational capacity.
NICER, located near the starboard solar array of the ISS, plays a crucial role in astronomical studies. It observes a variety of cosmic phenomena, including devastating black holes, neutron stars—extremely dense remnants of supernovae—and even comets within our solar system.
However, NICER faced challenges in May 2023 when it developed a light leak due to damage in its thermal shielding. This resulted in sunlight affecting the X-ray detectors during daylight hours on the station, complicating the monitoring of celestial events. In response, the NICER team modified their observing strategies to minimize the impact.
To address the most significant areas of damage, Hague will apply wedge-shaped patches to the telescope’s sunshades, ensuring that the sensitive instruments can function correctly. “These patches were designed for either robotic or astronaut installation,” stated Steve Kenyon, NICER’s mechanical engineering lead at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. “They are installed using a T-handle tool that the astronauts are familiar with,” he added.
The training included creating a full-scale mockup of NICER and its installation environment, allowing astronauts to practice removing patches from a caddy, installing them into place, and verifying their security post-installation. Each rehearsal took approximately one hour, including time spent traveling to NICER, preparing tools, and surveying for any additional unnoticed damage.
Although the training in the 6.2-million-gallon NBL closely resembles the microgravity of space, some disparities arose, referred to as “pool-isms.” For instance, astronauts occasionally floated upward while grasping the patches—an occurrence not expected during an actual spacewalk.
Throughout the practice sessions, NICER team members provided expert insight on both the mechanical and scientific aspects of the telescope, enhancing the astronauts’ understanding and preparation. “It has been inspiring to actively engage with the astronauts and discuss our mission’s science,” shared Keith Gendreau, NICER’s principal investigator. He emphasized the novelty of the mission, noting that it represents a significant intersection of astrophysics and human spaceflight.
The NICER project operates under NASA’s Explorers Program, focusing on frequent flight opportunities for cutting-edge scientific investigations in heliophysics and astrophysics. Additionally, NICER’s design showcases innovation in its SEXTANT component, which utilizes pulsars for spacecraft navigation, marking an exciting chapter in both astrophysical research and space exploration.
Download high-resolution images and videos of NICER at NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio.
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science.nasa.gov