Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
On May 24, NASA's Hubble Space Telescope entered safe mode, halting its science operations due to an ongoing gyroscope issue.
Despite the suspension, the telescope's instruments remain stable, and its overall health is reported as good. The gyroscopes, which are crucial for measuring the telescope's turn rates, help determine its pointing direction.
The telescope automatically entered safe mode when one of its three active gyroscopes provided faulty telemetry readings. NASA engineers are currently investigating the issue to identify potential solutions.
If necessary, the spacecraft can be reconfigured to operate with just one gyroscope, with another gyro placed in reserve. During its final servicing mission in 2009, Hubble had six new gyroscopes installed, three of which are still operational.
This is not the first malfunction in 2024. In April, the gyroscope issue also pushed the observatory into safe mode, highlighting the ongoing challenges with the aging equipment.
Gyroscopes are essential for stabilizing the telescope and maintaining its orientation in space. They provide precise measurements of rotational speed and orientation, enabling fine adjustments for capturing clear images of distant celestial objects.
Despite the current issue, NASA anticipates that Hubble will continue making groundbreaking discoveries throughout this decade and potentially into the next. It will work alongside other observatories, like the James Webb Space Telescope, to enhance our understanding of the universe.
Credit : NASA
Launched in 1990, Hubble has been observing the universe for over three decades and recently celebrated its 34th anniversary. It has made significant scientific discoveries, including the detection of dark energy and the observation of distant galaxies. NASA will provide more updates on the telescope's status in early June.
Credit : NASA