Here’s why NASA has paused its Hubble Telescope science missions

The Hubble Space Telescope, operated by NASA and renowned for its ground-breaking findings and amazing views of the cosmos, has temporarily suspended its scientific operations. After the Hubble Space Telescope entered safe mode on April 23, 2024, due to a recurrent gyroscope problem, NASA is actively attempting to resume science operations for the telescope, the space agency said in a blog post. Hubble’s equipment are stable and the telescope is still in good condition despite the setback. A false reading from one of Hubble’s three gyroscopes is the primary cause of the problem. When will it start operating again? Be aware of what NASA has stated.

Gyroscope Glitch: What Is It?

Upon sensing abnormal readings from any of its three gyroscopes, the telescope immediately entered safe mode. Essential parts that measure the telescope’s turn rates and aid in determining its orientation are called gyroscopes. The gyroscopes “are part of the system that determines which direction the telescope is pointed,” stated NASA.

But this is not the first time this same gyro has caused problems; in November 2023, a similar situation happened after the readings showed similar errors. In order to address the gyroscope issue, NASA engineers are presently exploring several options, such as redesigning the spaceship to use just one gyro while reserving the other gyro for use.

NASA’s Hubble Telescope Future Plans:

Even though the spacecraft is becoming older, the team is still hopeful that they can find a solution and bring it back to full functioning. Hubble presently only has three operable gyros left from its original six during its final servicing flight in 2009, yet it is still capable of making science observations with just one gyro if necessary. NASA expects that over this decade and probably into the next, Hubble will continue to make ground-breaking discoveries while collaborating with other observatories, including the agency’s James Webb Space Telescope.” One gyro alone, meanwhile, would not be as efficient.

It is important to remember that since its introduction in 1990, Hubble has advanced our knowledge of the universe and remains an essential instrument for astronomers everywhere. The telescope recently celebrated its thirty-fourth year in orbit.