Hubble Telescope in Safe Mode due to Gyro Issue, But Scientific Discoveries Continue”.

The Hubble telescope, launched from Earth 34 years ago, has once again been placed in safe mode due to a gyro issue. Despite this setback, NASA has stated that all instruments on the telescope are stable and it is in good health. The gyroscopes on Hubble are crucial for measuring the telescope’s turn rates and determining its direction. One of the three gyroscopes malfunctioned, causing the telescope to enter safe mode. This is not the first time this has happened, as a similar issue occurred in November 2023.

NASA is currently working to identify potential solutions to fix the gyro issue. If necessary, the spacecraft can be reconfigured to operate with only one gyro, with the others serving as reserves. Hubble originally had six gyroscopes installed during a space shuttle mission in 2009, but only three remain operational. Despite the current setback, NASA is confident that Hubble will continue to make groundbreaking discoveries and work alongside other observatories in the coming years.

To commemorate the 34th anniversary of the Hubble telescope, astronomers captured a new image of the Little Dumbbell Nebula, also known as Messier 76. Located 3,400 light-years away, this image symbolizes the telescope’s continued contributions to astrophysics. Hubble has made over 1.6 million observations and has been cited in 44,000 scientific papers, solidifying its place as a vital tool in modern astronomy.