NASA is currently working to restore the science operations of the Hubble Space Telescope after it went into safe mode on April 23rd due to an issue with one of its gyroscopes. The telescope, which has been in operation for over three decades and recently celebrated its 34th anniversary, is in good health and its instruments are stable.
The Hubble Space Telescope automatically entered safe mode when one of its gyroscopes started giving incorrect readings. Gyroscopes are essential for determining the telescope’s direction, and the telescope is put on hold while in safe mode until given new instructions from the ground. This same gyro caused the telescope to enter safe mode in November with similar problems, and the team is currently working on finding solutions. If necessary, the telescope can be reconfigured to operate with only one gyro, while the rest remain in reserve.
During the fifth and final space shuttle servicing mission in 2009, the Hubble Space Telescope had six new gyroscopes installed. Currently, three of the six are still operational, and the telescope uses three for maximum efficiency. However, it can still continue its scientific observations even with just one gyro if needed. Despite these challenges, NASA is optimistic that the Hubble Space Telescope will continue to make groundbreaking discoveries and work collaboratively with other observatories such as the James Webb Space Telescope into the next decade.
