The Hubble Space Telescope has encountered another problem, more than a week after it went into hibernation mode due to a malfunctioning gyroscope, which is part of its pointing system. The same device had been causing issues for months, disrupting scientific operations.
NASA announced on Tuesday that efforts to repair the gyroscope were unsuccessful, and Hubble will now operate with only one gyroscope, which will restrict its scientific capabilities.
The switch will keep the telescope idle until mid-June, and while it won’t be as agile as before and will take longer to focus on targets, it should still be able to make discoveries for the rest of this decade and into the next. NASA says the telescope still has life left in it.
“We do not see Hubble as being on its last legs,” said NASA project manager Patrick Crouse.
NASA’s astrophysics director, Mark Clampin, stated that the space agency is not currently considering a mission to boost the observatory to a higher orbit to extend its life. Although a billionaire who has purchased his own SpaceX flights offered to sponsor and carry out the job, Clampin said that the risks outweigh the potential benefits and that more analysis is needed.
Hubble was launched into orbit in 1990, but the initial excitement quickly faded when scientists discovered that its vision was blurry due to a misshapen mirror. However, repairs made by spacewalking astronauts restored its ability to see the cosmos, allowing the telescope to capture stunning images of ancient galaxies and other wonders of the universe.
During the astronauts’ final visit in 2009, Hubble received six new gyroscopes, but three of them have since stopped working. These devices’ spinning wheels keep the telescope stable and pointed in the right direction by tracking its rotation and position in space.
With only two gyroscopes remaining, one will be used for pointing, while the other will be kept in reserve for future use.
Despite the setback, Hubble’s bigger and more powerful successor, the Webb Space Telescope, was launched in 2021, ensuring that America’s exploration of the universe will continue.