NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has been placed in safe mode due to an ongoing gyroscope issue. This marks the telescope’s 34th anniversary since its launch from Earth. The gyroscopes are responsible for measuring the telescope’s turn rates and direction, but one of them gave faulty readings, prompting the telescope to enter safe mode on April 23.
NASA is currently working to resolve the glitch and identify potential solutions to the current problem. In November 2023, the same issue occurred, and the team is looking at ways to fix it. If necessary, the spacecraft can operate with only one gyro while the others remain in reserve. Hubble had six gyroscopes installed during a space shuttle servicing mission in 2009, and three of them are still operational.
Despite this setback, NASA remains confident in Hubble’s ability to continue making groundbreaking discoveries and scientific observations. The telescope has made over 1.6 million observations and contributed to 44,000 scientific papers. To mark its 34th anniversary, astronomers captured a new image of the Little Dumbbell Nebula, located 3,400 light-years away. Additionally, NASA is looking forward to Hubble’s continued collaboration with other observatories like the James Webb Space Telescope in the coming years.
NASA is currently working on resolving a gyroscope issue that has caused Hubble Space Telescope to enter safe mode since April 23rd. This marks its 34th anniversary since its launch from Earth. While these gyroscopes are responsible for measuring turn rates and direction of the telescope one of them gave faulty readings which triggered safe mode entry.
This is not the first time Hubble has entered safe mode due to a gyroscope issue. The same problem occurred in November 2023 and NASA is currently working on identifying potential solutions for this current problem.
Hubble had six gyroscopes installed during a space shuttle servicing mission in 2009 out of which three are still operational.
Despite this setback NASA remains confident that Hubble will continue making groundbreaking discoveries and scientific observations as it has made over 1.6 million observations contributing to over 44,000 scientific papers.
To celebrate its anniversary astronomers captured a new image of Little Dumbbell Nebula located at about 3,400 light-years away.
Additionally, NASA looks forward to continuing collaboration with other observatories like James Webb Space Telescope in future years as they work towards resolving this gyroscope issue that has caused Hubble Space Telescope to enter safe mode since April 23rd