NASA is currently focused on restoring the operation of the Hubble Space Telescope, which has entered safe mode due to a gyro issue. Despite this setback, Hubble’s instruments remain stable and the telescope is in good health. Gyros are critical components that measure the telescope’s turn rates and determine its direction.
This is not the first time Hubble has encountered issues with its gyros. In November, a similar fault caused the telescope to be in safe mode. The team is currently working on identifying possible solutions to the gyro problem. If necessary, the spacecraft can be reconfigured to operate with only one gyro, with another gyro placed in reserve as backup.
During its final servicing mission in 2009, six new gyros were installed on Hubble. Currently, three of those gyros are operational, including the one experiencing fluctuations. Hubble typically uses three gyros for maximum efficiency, but it can still conduct science observations with just one gyro if needed. NASA expects that Hubble will continue to make significant discoveries, collaborating with other observatories like the James Webb Space Telescope throughout this decade and potentially into the next.
Hubble was launched in 1990 and has been observing the universe for over three decades, recently celebrating its 34th anniversary. Despite this latest setback, NASA remains optimistic about Hubble’s future in continuing to unveil the mysteries of our universe.