NASA has placed the Hubble telescope in safe mode due to a gyro issue. Despite this setback, the spacecraft’s instruments are stable, and the telescope is in good health. The gyroscopes on Hubble are crucial for measuring its turn rates and direction. One of the three gyroscopes malfunctioned, causing the telescope to enter safe mode. This is not the first time this has happened as a similar issue occurred in November 2023.
NASA is working on finding potential solutions to fix the gyro problem. If necessary, the spacecraft can be reconfigured to operate with only one gyro, with the others serving as reserves. Originally, Hubble had six gyroscopes installed during a space shuttle mission in 2009, but only three remain operational. However, despite the current setback, NASA is optimistic about Hubble’s future and believes it will continue to make groundbreaking discoveries and work alongside other observatories in the years ahead.
To celebrate Hubble’s 34th anniversary, astronomers captured a new image of the Little Dumbbell Nebula, also known as Messier 76. Located 3,400 light-years away, this image represents Hubble’s continued contributions to astrophysics. Over its lifetime, Hubble has made over 1.6 million observations and has been cited in 44,000 scientific papers, solidifying its place as an essential tool in modern astronomy.
In conclusion, despite facing some challenges such as gyro issues that have caused it to enter safe mode twice now
