In recent news, NASA has temporarily paused science activities for the Hubble Space Telescope due to a faulty gyroscope that is sending inaccurate readings back to Earth. The telescope, renowned for its breathtaking views of the cosmos, was placed in safe mode while awaiting further instructions from ground control. Despite this issue with the gyro, NASA has stated that Hubble’s instruments are stable and the overall health of the telescope remains good.
The gyroscopes on Hubble are crucial for measuring its rotation rate, which helps operators understand its orientation. This is not the first time this particular gyro has caused problems; in November 2023, faulty readings led to Hubble being placed in safe mode as well. The team at Hubble is currently working on potential solutions for the gyro issue. If necessary, Hubble could potentially operate with just one gyro while the other is put on reserve.
Hubble was equipped with six new gyroscopes during its final space shuttle servicing mission in 2009. Three of these gyroscopes remain, including the problematic one. However, despite this recent setback, NASA remains confident in Hubble’s ability to continue making groundbreaking discoveries alongside other observatories like the James Webb Space Telescope. The agency expects Hubble to continue its mission for years to come, potentially well into the next decade.