Computer Glitch Aboard ISS Could Require Spacewalk and SpaceX Resupply Mission Delay
ByFor possibly the second time in four months, crewmembers aboard the International Space Station (ISS) may have to perform a spacewalk to repair a glitch.
According to Space.com, NASA is looking into a backup computer glitch they announced late Friday night. The backup computer, which was a controller for robotics systems aboard the ISS, was not responding to commands.
"The computer outage does not pose a risk to the six crew members aboard the space station," NASA officials said in a statement. "ISS [International Space Station] teams are assessing next steps to attempt to bring the computer back online or replace it."
SpaceX has a resupply mission scheduled to launch Monday, April 14, but a replacement backup computer would require a spacewalk. The primary computer is in working order, but the ISS would not want to be left without a backup in the event of another glitch.
"The backup [computer] 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 officials said in a statement. "NASA is continuing to work toward a Monday launch."
SpaceX is in the midst of a $1.6 billion contract with NASA to perform resupply missions for the ISS. On its third of 12 missions, SpaceX will load its unmanned Dragon spacecraft with cargo, food and scientific equipment including two legs for a humanoid android already aboard the ISS.
The Associated Press reported NASA is looking for a way to repair the computer without needing to replace it. A quick fix would keep SpaceX's launch on track for Monday while a spacewalk replacement would require the resupply mission to be delayed.
On board the ISS is NASA veteran astronaut Ralph Mastracchio, who has performed multiple spacewalks, including one in Dec. to replace a malfunctioning cooling systems valve.