The Hubble Telescope has a problem. Observations were suspended

NASA scientists are working to restore the Hubble Space Telescope to proper operation. According to them, on April 23, its scientific observations were suspended and the telescope entered safe mode because a gyroscope fault was detected. The agency ensures that the scientific instruments operate stably, like the rest of the device.

The Hubble Telescope has three gyroscopes. It automatically switched to safe mode when one of the gyroscopes showed incorrect readings. Gyroscopes are used to measure the rate of rotation of a telescope and help determine which direction it is pointing. In safe mode, scientific observations are suspended and the telescope waits for instructions from Earth. Exactly the same gyroscope caused the telescope to enter safe mode also in November last year, also after an incorrect value reading. The mission control team is currently developing a solution to the problem. The use of three gyroscopes maximizes the efficiency of the Hubble Telescope. If necessary, the telescope will be reconfigured to work with only a single gyroscope, and the second working one will be retained for the future. During the fifth servicing mission in 2009, astronauts installed six new gyroscopes. Over time, three of them were damaged. It seems that the fourth one is also starting to refuse.

The Hubble Space Telescope was launched from Earth in 1990. It orbits in low Earth orbit at an altitude of approximately 540 kilometers. It has a mirror with a diameter of 2.4 meters. He makes observations in the ultraviolet and near infrared ranges. This is a NASA project in which the European Space Agency (ESA) also participates. The telescope has made many breakthrough discoveries that have increased our knowledge of the Universe.