5 ms·

Is there a way to fix such problems with a software update?

creshal 10y ago
We won't know until we know what's the cause in the first place.
Cyph0n 10y ago
It sounds like a manufacturing issue to me, so I don't think so. The batch they ordered could have been faulty, but I'm assuming that ESA uses samples taken from multiple runs to minimize failures, so that's fairly unlikely.
- planteen 10y ago
  It could be a design issue too. Like are they accidentally over-voltaging the clock with a transient or some sort of power sequencing issue? Or does some component have tin somewhere? Really hard to say at this point.
  - Cyph0n 10y ago
    I really hope it's not a design issue, but that could definitely be the case. Why tin specifically?
    - eutectic 10y ago
      https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tin_pest https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tin_pest
    - kmm 10y ago
      Tin forms whiskers, small hairlike growths on the metal that can cause short circuits. We've already lost a satellite to this phenomenon, although I would hope it's not a problem anymore with current metallurgical techniques https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whisker_(metallurgy) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whisker_(metallurgy)
      - wrigby 10y ago
        If I remember right, tin whiskers were determined to be the cause in the crazy Toyota runaway accelerator pedals a few years back. I think it's mainly an issue with lead-free solders, which RoHS has forced into widespread usage over the last decade.
        mikeash 10y ago
        It was hypothesized, but not accepted as a cause: http://www.autonews.com/article/20120727/OEM11/120729908/nhtsa-rejects-tin-whiskers-theory-for-toyotas-unintended-acceleration- http://www.autonews.com/article/20120727/OEM11/120729908/nht... The problem was ultimately found to be a combination of pedals being pressed by floor mats, pedals sticking on their own, and drivers pressing the wrong pedal.
        Symbiote 10y ago
        ESA is not part of the EU -- it's an international organization, and is exempt from national law in the same way as an embassy. Even if RoHS applies to spacecraft, it probably doesn't apply to ESA's spacecraft. That's not to say acquiring non-RoHS components isn't made more difficult by RoHS.
        planteen 10y ago
        RoHS does not apply to spacecraft. In fact, companies specialize in things like replacing RoHS solder balls on BGA parts with lead solder ones.
      - jonah 10y ago
        Some some comments on the military in Aerospace issues with RoHS - with photos: http://www.militaryaerospace.com/articles/print/volume-20/issue-4/features/special-report/lead-free-rohs-on-military-electronics-procurement.html http://www.militaryaerospace.com/articles/print/volume-20/is...
    - jaclaz 10y ago
      Just in case, the NASA page dedicated to the matter: https://nepp.nasa.gov/whisker/index.html https://nepp.nasa.gov/whisker/index.html
sathackr 10y ago
The article says that after some troubleshooting they were able to restart one of the hydrogen maser clocks, so it appears they do have some abilities on the software side.

We won't know until we know what's the cause in the first place.

It sounds like a manufacturing issue to me, so I don't think so. The batch they ordered could have been faulty, but I'm assuming that ESA uses samples taken from multiple runs to minimize failures, so that's fairly unlikely.

planteen 10y ago
It could be a design issue too. Like are they accidentally over-voltaging the clock with a transient or some sort of power sequencing issue? Or does some component have tin somewhere? Really hard to say at this point.
- Cyph0n 10y ago
  I really hope it's not a design issue, but that could definitely be the case. Why tin specifically?
  - eutectic 10y ago
    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tin_pest https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tin_pest
  - kmm 10y ago
    Tin forms whiskers, small hairlike growths on the metal that can cause short circuits. We've already lost a satellite to this phenomenon, although I would hope it's not a problem anymore with current metallurgical techniques https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whisker_(metallurgy) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whisker_(metallurgy)
    - wrigby 10y ago
      If I remember right, tin whiskers were determined to be the cause in the crazy Toyota runaway accelerator pedals a few years back. I think it's mainly an issue with lead-free solders, which RoHS has forced into widespread usage over the last decade.
      - mikeash 10y ago
        It was hypothesized, but not accepted as a cause: http://www.autonews.com/article/20120727/OEM11/120729908/nhtsa-rejects-tin-whiskers-theory-for-toyotas-unintended-acceleration- http://www.autonews.com/article/20120727/OEM11/120729908/nht... The problem was ultimately found to be a combination of pedals being pressed by floor mats, pedals sticking on their own, and drivers pressing the wrong pedal.
      - Symbiote 10y ago
        ESA is not part of the EU -- it's an international organization, and is exempt from national law in the same way as an embassy. Even if RoHS applies to spacecraft, it probably doesn't apply to ESA's spacecraft. That's not to say acquiring non-RoHS components isn't made more difficult by RoHS.
        planteen 10y ago
        RoHS does not apply to spacecraft. In fact, companies specialize in things like replacing RoHS solder balls on BGA parts with lead solder ones.
    - jonah 10y ago
      Some some comments on the military in Aerospace issues with RoHS - with photos: http://www.militaryaerospace.com/articles/print/volume-20/issue-4/features/special-report/lead-free-rohs-on-military-electronics-procurement.html http://www.militaryaerospace.com/articles/print/volume-20/is...
  - jaclaz 10y ago
    Just in case, the NASA page dedicated to the matter: https://nepp.nasa.gov/whisker/index.html https://nepp.nasa.gov/whisker/index.html

sathackr 10y ago

The article says that after some troubleshooting they were able to restart one of the hydrogen maser clocks, so it appears they do have some abilities on the software side.