NASA is planning to repair NICER (Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer), an X-ray telescope on the International Space Station, during a spacewalk later this year. It will be the fourth science observatory in orbit serviced by astronauts. In May 2023, scientists discovered that NICER had developed a “light leak.” Unwanted sunlight was entering the instrument […]
  • Carighan Maconar
    7•7 months ago

    Should rename it the NICEST telescope afterwards.

    … phew… got that out of my system. 😅

    Hope they can get it done. From the description it sounds easy enough, if on a “spacewalk it, ezpz” level, of course.

    • @NocturnalMorning
      4•7 months ago

      Believe it or not, changing the name of a satellite…er, telescope costs money.

    • @wjriiEnglish
      4•7 months ago

      Probably wouldn’t even bother if it weren’t already the nicer one.

  • @jqubed
    5•7 months ago

    Sounds like the parts for the repair will launch on the Cygnus for NG-21, which will fly on a Falcon instead of Antares since the new Antares 300 isn’t ready yet.