NASA is currently working on resolving an issue with a gyro that has caused the Hubble Space Telescope to enter safe mode. Even though one of the gyros caused the telescope to shut down, Hubble’s instruments are stable and the telescope is in good health. Gyros measure the telescope’s turn rates and are essential in determining which direction the telescope is pointed. While in safe mode, science operations are suspended until new directions are received from the ground.
This is not the first time Hubble has entered safe mode due to an issue with a gyro. In November, a similar fault led to the telescope being in safe mode. The team is currently working on identifying possible solutions to the gyro issue. If necessary, the spacecraft can be re-configured to operate with only one gyro, with another gyro placed in reserve as backup.
During the final Hubble servicing mission in 2009, six new gyros were installed. 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 the current gyro issue, NASA remains optimistic about Hubble’s future in continuing to unveil
