Hubble Spacecraft in Safe Mode Due to Faulty Gyro Reading: Potential Solutions Under Consideration

In November, the Hubble spacecraft entered safe mode due to a faulty gyro reading. The team is currently working on finding solutions to address this issue. One potential solution is to re-configure the spacecraft to operate with only one gyro, while the faulty gyro is placed in reserve.

During the fifth and final space shuttle servicing mission in 2009, six new gyros were installed on the Hubble. Currently, three of these gyros are still operational, including the one experiencing fluctuations. Hubble typically uses three gyros to maximize efficiency, but it can still conduct scientific observations with just one gyro if necessary. The team is assessing the situation and will implement any necessary changes to ensure the spacecraft can continue its mission effectively.