The rich flow of scientific data\u2014and stunning images\u2014that comes from the Hubble Space Telescope is being interrupted by gyro problems. One of the telescope\u2019s three remaining gyros gave faulty readings, and the Hubble automatically entered safe mode. In safe mode, science operations are suspended.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Without gyros, the Hubble can\u2019t orient itself properly. Gyros measure the telescope\u2019s turn rate and help the telescope know where it\u2019s pointed. They\u2019re part of the system that keeps the space telescope pointed in the right direction. There\u2019s no indication of any problems with Hubble\u2019s instruments, like its Wide-Field Camera 3 or its Advanced Camera for Surveys.<\/p>\n This all began on November 19th when Hubble went into safe mode. Engineers recovered the telescope, and regular science operations resumed the following day. However, the unstable gyro caused problems again, and the space telescope suspended science operations again on the 21st. It was recovered again, then went back into safe mode on November 23rd. That\u2019s where things stand now.<\/p>\n The Hubble was launched with six original gyros, but they failed fairly rapidly. During its last shuttle servicing mission in 2009, the Hubble received six new gyros. Three of them were the older type that failed fairly quickly, and three were new ones. The three older ones from 2009 have failed, and Hubble has three remaining gyros, and all of them have a more modern design. It can operate with a single functioning gyro, though it\u2019s less efficient.<\/p>\n Each gyro is a small cylinder filled with fluid. Inside the fluid, an internal float spins thousands of times per second. The original six gyros and three of the 2009 replacements contained bromine in the fluid. The bromine ate away at the gyros, causing their eventual demise. <\/p>\n This isn\u2019t the first time failing gyros have caused a shutdown in Hubble\u2019s science operations. The preceding incident happened in 2018. At that time, Ken Sembach was the Director of the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI.) In an interview, he expressed some frustration, telling Business Insider, \u201cWe\u2019ve had some issues with this gyro in the past, and we\u2019ve got some possible leads on the current problem. But the thing that\u2019s been clear on Hubble is that these gyros all have a mind of their own. I don\u2019t think anybody really knows what\u2019s going on with it right now.\u201d<\/p>\n The gyros are just part of the system that keeps Hubble pointed where astronomers want it pointed. The system also includes reaction wheels and fine guidance sensors.<\/p>\n Hubble doesn\u2019t have any type of thrusters, so it can\u2019t propel itself. But it can change its attitude or orientation using its reaction wheels. That\u2019s how it acquires different targets. But it needs gyros and fine guidance sensors, too, along with other components. They all work together, and without gyros, the system can\u2019t function.<\/p>\n \n![\"One](\"https:\/\/www.universetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Hubble-gyro.png\")
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