Hubble Telescope Put Into Dreaded Protected Mode Attributable to Ongoing Glitch

The Hubble Space Telescope as seen from the space shuttle Atlantis (STS-125) in May 2009, during the fifth and final servicing of the observatory. — The Hubble Area Telescope as seen from the house shuttle Atlantis (STS-125) in Might 2009, throughout the fifth and last servicing of the observatory.

NASA’s iconic Hubble Area Telescope isn’t doing so effectively. The observatory has been affected by a pesky glitch affecting its gyroscope, inflicting it to droop its science operations for a second time in lower than six months.

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On Friday, NASA introduced that Hubble had robotically entered secure mode on Tuesday, April 23 when one in all its three operational gyroscopes returned defective readings. Engineers are at the moment engaged on an answer to renew the telescope’s observations.

This marks the second time the house telescope has halted its scientific operations because of the identical situation. Earlier in November 2023, one of many gyros returned related wacky readings, which prompted Hubble’s secure mode. The telescope resumed operations the following day, solely to enter secure mode as soon as once more. It was lastly introduced again to life in mid-December 2023.

Gyroscopes are used to find out the route through which the telescope is pointing and to keep up its orientation. Hubble began off with six gyros on board, however solely three stay operational right now. The telescope can function with only one if wanted, but it surely makes use of all three for elevated effectivity.

One of many options NASA engineers are contemplating is to have Hubble reconfigured to function with one gyro whereas inserting the opposite two in reserve, in line with the house company. “NASA anticipates Hubble will proceed making groundbreaking discoveries, working with different observatories, such because the company’s James Webb Area Telescope, all through this decade and presumably into the following,” the house company wrote in its assertion.

Hubble launched in 1990 as a pioneering optical house telescope, and has since delivered unbelievable pictures and main contributions to our understanding of the cosmos. The getting old telescope has overcome different setbacks throughout its time in orbit, and NASA appears assured in its restoration.

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