The Hubble Space Telescope has malfunctioned, yet again. The researchers’ own eye in space has gone offline after it faced an issue with a gyroscope and has entered into what scientists call safe mode.

The Hubble Space Telescope has malfunctioned, yet again. The researchers’ own eye in space has gone offline after it faced an issue with a gyroscope and has entered into what scientists call safe mode. A gyroscope is a device used for measuring or maintaining orientation and angular velocity. Its purpose is to determine where the telescope is pointing and how the pointing changes in relation to the telescope’s movement in space. There are three such gyroscopes aboard the spacecraft and only one of them is facing issues. NASA scientists are believed to be working to resolve the issue as soon as possible. Third gyroscope reserved for future missions The Hubble telescope doesn’t work at its full capacity as the third gyroscope is reserved for future operations. As of now, it is guided and operated by just one of two gyroscopes. Also read: Tiangong space station damaged by space debris strike, China working on clean-up The telescope underwent the fifth and final servicing in 2009 by the Space Shuttle Atlantis during which six gyroscopes were fitted into the spacecraft. Three of them remain operational, including the one facing issues currently and providing inaccurate readings. Not the first time It’s not the first time that the faulty gyroscope has provided inaccurate readings to the researchers. The same gyro faced issues in December 2023 as well after NASA scientists reconfigured the telescope to operate in high-performance mode. Also read: Astronomers Fight to Save Chandra Space Telescope This prompted NASA to run some tests checking the usability of the gyroscope, following which the space agency decided against completely abandoning it. Hubble now off duty Owing to the faulty gyroscope, the Hubble telescope has now gone off duty and will remain non-operational till it’s fixed. All scheduled programmes and missions have been put on hold as researchers at NASA try to send instructions from ground stations and get the thing going. As per NASA’s plans, the telescope will remain operational for at least six more years and hopefully more. (With inputs from agency)

Hubble space telescope temporarily goes off duty as key device provides faulty reading

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