The Space Telescope Hubble from the NASA, which has been giving us breathtaking images of the universe for over three decades, suddenly went into safe mode. What made this space giant stop now? A failure in one of its precious gyroscopes put scientists on alert, leaving scientific operations suspended. But behind this unexpected event lies an even bigger enigma: what celestial secrets will Hubble reserve for us once the problem has been solved? And how will this pause affect the future of space exploration?
Hubble entered safe mode on May 24, 2024 due to a persistent problem with one of its gyroscopes, temporarily suspending its scientific operations. Despite the inconvenience, Hubble’s instruments remain stable and the telescope is in good health.
Gyroscope problems: Hubble in safe mode
Hubble automatically entered safe mode when one of its three gyroscopes began transmitting erroneous telemetry data. Hubble’s gyroscopes measure the telescope’s rotational speeds, which are critical for precisely determining and controlling the direction it is pointed. NASA said it will provide further updates during the first week of June .
NASA expects Hubble to continue making discoveries throughout this decade and perhaps into the next, working in collaboration with other observatories such as the James Webb Space Telescope. Despite the problems with the gyroscope, Hubble could continue to operate effectively even with only one functioning gyroscope, putting the others in reserve.
Launched in 1990, Hubble has been observing the universe for more than three decades and recently celebrated its 34th anniversary. During the 2009 maintenance mission, six new gyroscopes were installed, of which three remain operational, including the currently problematic ones. NASA continues to work to resolve the issue and return the telescope to normal science operations
