Hubble has run into more trouble. The space telescope slipped into a hibernating state more than a week ago when one of its three remaining gyroscopes — part of the pointing system — malfunctioned.
The same device had been acting up for months and disrupting scientific operations.
said Tuesday that attempts to fix it failed and it will operate with just one gyroscope, which will limit its scientific capability. The switch will keep Hubble idle until mid-June. The telescope won’t be as nimble as before and will take longer to zero in on targets. Hubble won’t be able to conduct as many observations, but should be able to keep making discoveries the rest of this decade and next, according to officials.
project manager Patrick Crouse. The space agency is not considering a mission to boost the observatory to a higher orbit for now in order to extend its life, said Mark Clampin, ’s astrophysics director. A billionaire who’s bought his own SpaceX flights had offered to sponsor and carry out the job. Clampin said the risks outweigh the potential benefits and that more analysis will be needed. Hubble rocketed into orbit in 1990, but the jubilation quickly ended when scientists discovered its blurry vision due to a misshapen mirror.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Private mission to save the Hubble Space Telescope raises concerns, NASA emails showWhen a private space traveler said he wanted to take a SpaceX capsule on a mission to improve the aging Hubble telescope, NASA studied the options. Internal emails show concern about the risk.
Read more »
NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope Is On The Fritz AgainI began my journalism career with Entrepreneur magazine with a focus on small business technology. As a freelance journalist, I’ve covered gadgets, geek culture, public schools, weird foods, transatlantic travel and Route 66.
Read more »
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope temporarily pauses observations after malfunctionThe Hubble Space Telescope has temporarily stopped observing the cosmos
Read more »
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope temporarily pauses observations after malfunctionThe Hubble Space Telescope has temporarily stopped observing the cosmos.
Read more »
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope temporarily pauses observations after malfunctionThe Hubble Space Telescope has temporarily stopped observing the cosmos.
Read more »
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope temporarily pauses observations after malfunctionThe Hubble Space Telescope has temporarily stopped observing the cosmos
Read more »