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Author
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Topic: Hubble telescope in safe mode (Nov 2023)
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Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 52303 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 11-30-2023 08:36 AM
NASA release Hubble Space Telescope Pauses Science Due to Gyro IssueNASA is working to resume science operations of the agency's Hubble Space Telescope after it entered safe mode Nov. 23 due to an ongoing gyroscope (gyro) issue. Hubble's instruments are stable, and the telescope is in good health. The telescope automatically entered safe mode when one of its three gyroscopes gave faulty readings. The gyros measure the telescope's turn rates and are part of the system that determines which direction the telescope is pointed. While in safe mode, science operations are suspended, and the telescope waits for new directions from the ground. Hubble first went into safe mode Nov. 19. Although the operations team successfully recovered the spacecraft to resume observations the following day, the unstable gyro caused the observatory to suspend science operations once again Nov. 21. Following a successful recovery, Hubble entered safe mode again Nov. 23. The team is now running tests to characterize the issue and develop solutions. If necessary, the spacecraft can be re-configured to operate with only one gyro. The spacecraft had six new gyros installed during the fifth and final space shuttle servicing mission in 2009. To date, three of those gyros remain operational, including the gyro currently experiencing fluctuations. Hubble uses three gyros to maximize efficiency, but could continue to make science observations with only one gyro if required. NASA anticipates 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. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 52303 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-08-2023 01:01 PM
NASA release NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope Returns to Science OperationsNASA restored the agency’s Hubble Space Telescope to science operations Friday, Dec. 8. The telescope had paused science observations Nov. 23 due to an issue with one of its gyros. The spacecraft is in good health and once again operating using all three of its gyros. Based on the performance observed during tests, the team decided to operate the gyros in a higher-precision mode during science observations. Hubble’s two main cameras, Wide Field Camera 3 and Advanced Camera for Surveys, resumed science observations Friday. The team is planning to restore operations to the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph and Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph later this month. |
Blackarrow Member Posts: 3709 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 12-09-2023 12:07 PM
Excellent news! The James Webb Telescope has often been described as "Hubble's successor" but did NASA ever realistically expect to have both telescopes operating at the same time (for what might now a lengthy period)? In asking this I am aware that JWST was significantly delayed, while the useful life of Hubble was significantly extended. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 52303 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-29-2024 08:38 AM
NASA release NASA's Hubble Pauses Science Due to Gyro IssueNASA is working to resume science operations of the agency's Hubble Space Telescope after it entered safe mode April 23 due to an ongoing gyroscope (gyro) issue. Hubble's instruments are stable, and the telescope is in good health. The telescope automatically entered safe mode when one of its three gyroscopes gave faulty readings. The gyros measure the telescope's turn rates and are part of the system that determines which direction the telescope is pointed. While in safe mode, science operations are suspended, and the telescope waits for new directions from the ground. This particular gyro caused Hubble to enter safe mode in November after returning similar faulty readings. 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. The spacecraft had six new gyros installed during the fifth and final space shuttle servicing mission in 2009. To date, three of those gyros remain operational, including the gyro currently experiencing fluctuations. Hubble uses three gyros to maximize efficiency, but could continue to make science observations with only one gyro if required. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 52303 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-30-2024 07:14 PM
NASA update On April 30, 2024, NASA announced it restored the agency's Hubble Space Telescope to science operations April 29. The spacecraft is in good health and once again operating using all three of its gyros. All of Hubble’s instruments are online, and the spacecraft has resumed taking science observations. | |
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