NASA plans to repair Alpha spectrometers worth $ 2 billion

A device that is changing our understanding of the universe needs to be repaired.

Alpha spectrometer (AMS) has been serving NASA for the past six years quietly in the presence of the universe, quietly gathering about 100 billion cosmic rays, particles and nuclei with energy up to 1 trillion volts. "These results bring a lot of surprises, they are not like current cosmic ray models. This is changing our understanding of the universe," said chief executive Sam Ting.

But according to a recent report, AMS has had problems with the cooling system, and NASA is planning to fix the device. Astronauts will probably have to come and install a new 2 billion dollar cooling system in 2018.

AMS had problems with the cooling system.

According to Ting, there are four large pumps in the cooling system to keep AMS always at 10 degrees Celsius, plus minus 3 degrees. Initially, the system was designed to last 3 years in space, but after nearly 6 years of operation, 2 out of 4 pumps were temporarily suspended. After being tested, the third pump is still operating normally, while the fourth pump shows signs of failure and is currently in reserve.

NASA is planning to fix this device.

After nearly 6 years of operation, 2 out of 4 pumps have temporarily stopped operating.

The other parts of the AMS after the test are still working normally (even though the lifespan is over).

The other parts of the AMS after the test are still working normally (even though the lifespan is over). However, both NASA and AMS still want the inspection to continue and they are also prepared to repair equipment that is not designed to be repaired outside of this space. Therefore, the repair will require many "walking space" trips .

And to accomplish this task, NASA has a team of astronauts, engineers, pilots trained for more than a year. Ting also said that this is not the final plan but it will soon be completed.

"Together with NASA's Johnson Space Center, we have improved the design of the pump, helping to increase the lifespan of the AMS so that it matches the life of the ISS , " he said. "Twelve pumps have been ordered and will be shipped in September this year. After a thorough inspection, four of the 12 new pumps will be put into space stations by the end of 2018 to replace."

NASA and AMS still want testing to continue.

After a thorough inspection, 4 out of 12 new pumps will be introduced into the space station by the end of 2018 instead.

Also according to a person involved in the plan, the cost of repairs can be up to $ 100 million.