Hubble goes blind in space: Science ops shut, telescope in safe mode

The Hubble telescope has been put in safe mode in the coldness of space, days after it marked the 34th anniversary of its launch from Earth.

Nasa is working to fix a glitch in the flying observatory after it entered safe mode on April 23 due to an ongoing gyroscope (gyro) issue. The American space agency, however, said that all the instruments on the telescope are stable, and the observatory is in good health.

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The gyroscopes on Hubble are responsible for measuring the telescope’s turn rates and are part of the system which determines which direction the telescope is pointed. As one of its three gyroscopes gave faulty readings, the onboard computer automatically directed the telescope into safe mode.

This is not the first time that this has happened, the same gyroscope forced the telescope to enter safe mode in November 2023 as well. “The team is currently working to identify potential solutions. If necessary, the spacecraft can be re-configured to operate with only one gyro, with the other remaining gyro placed in reserve,” Nasa said.

Hubble had a total of six gyroscopes installed during the fifth and final space shuttle servicing mission in 2009. Three of those six have remained operational to date. The American space agency said that Hubble uses three gyros to maximise efficiency, but could continue to make science observations with only one gyro if required.

“We anticipate Hubble will continue making groundbreaking discoveries, working with other observatories, such as the agency’s James Webb Space Telescope, throughout this decade and possibly into the next,” Nasa said in a statement.

Astronomers captured a new image of the Little Dumbbell Nebula, also known as Messier 76, located 3,400 light-years away to mark the 34th anniversary of the Hubble telescope.

The telescope has made over 1.6 million observations and contributed to 44,000 scientific papers, making it a cornerstone of modern astrophysics.