NASA officials announced that the Hubble Space Telescope, despite a recent malfunction in one of its gyroscopes, is expected to continue its groundbreaking work into the 2030s. The gyroscopes are crucial for aiming and stabilizing the telescope, but mission managers have switched to a backup mode to ensure continued operation.
Hubble’s longevity and current challenges
Patrick Crouse, Hubble’s project manager, expressed confidence in the telescope’s continued success. “We still believe there’s very high reliability and likelihood that we can operate Hubble very successfully, doing groundbreaking science, through the rest of the ’20s and into the 2030s,” he stated during a teleconference.
Mark Clampin, director of astrophysics at NASA, confirmed that a proposed mission to boost Hubble to a higher altitude using a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft has been shelved for now. This mission, suggested by SpaceX and Jared Isaacman, aimed to extend Hubble’s lifespan by reducing atmospheric drag.
Addressing gyroscope failures
The Hubble telescope, launched in 1990, initially suffered from a flawed mirror but was later corrected by spacewalking astronauts. The telescope relies on gyroscopes to maintain its focus on distant celestial objects. Hubble was launched with six gyroscopes, and only three are needed for normal operations. However, recent failures have left only two functioning gyroscopes.
In response, NASA engineers plan to operate Hubble using just one gyroscope, keeping the other in reserve. This approach will reduce the telescope’s efficiency and its ability to lock onto certain targets but will extend its operational life.
Future of Hubble’s operations
The transition to one-gyroscope mode is expected to be implemented soon, with Hubble resuming full science operations by mid-month. Crouse noted, “Our team first developed a plan for one-gyro operations over 20 years ago, and it is the best mode to go forward to prolong Hubble’s life.”
The James Webb Space Telescope, which launched recently, is continuing Hubble’s legacy by exploring deeper into space. However, Hubble remains invaluable, and astronomers are keen to keep it operational for as long as possible.