Hubble Space Telescope Transitions into One-Gyro Mode: New Challenges and Anticipated Discoveries

United States of America
Anticipated continuation of making new cosmic discoveries alongside other observatories for years
Hubble Space Telescope enters one-gyro mode due to gyroscope failures
NASA plans to resume science operations in mid-June
One-gyro mode limits telescope's ability to switch targets and observe moving objects closer than Mars
Hubble Space Telescope Transitions into One-Gyro Mode: New Challenges and Anticipated Discoveries

The Hubble Space Telescope, a renowned observatory that has been in orbit since 1990, is facing new challenges as it enters a new phase of its operation. Due to the failure of multiple gyroscopes, NASA has announced plans to shift the telescope into one-gyro mode. This change will allow Hubble to continue making scientific observations with some limitations.

The Hubble Space Telescope has been experiencing issues with its gyroscopes for quite some time. In May 2024, the observatory went into safe mode due to an anomaly detected in one of its gyroscopes. With only two functioning gyros remaining out of six, NASA decided to transition Hubble into a new operational mode: one-gyro mode.

One-gyro mode imposes some limitations on the telescope's capabilities. For instance, it will take longer for Hubble to switch targets and observe certain parts of the sky. Additionally, it will not be able to track moving objects closer than Mars, including Venus and the Moon.

Despite these limitations, NASA remains optimistic about Hubble's future in space exploration. The agency expects that mid-June will see the resumption of science operations in one-gyro mode. Hubble is anticipated to continue making new cosmic discoveries alongside other observatories such as the James Webb Space Telescope and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope for years to come.

The Hubble Space Telescope has already exceeded its expected design lifetime, having observed the universe for more than three decades. Its greatest scientific discoveries include observations of distant galaxies, black holes, and other celestial phenomena that have expanded our understanding of the cosmos.

NASA is currently assessing the impact of this change on future planned observations and working to reconfigure both the spacecraft and ground system accordingly.


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No Doubts Found At Time Of Publication

Sources

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NASA to Change How It Points Hubble Space Telescope - NASA Science

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Wednesday, 05 June 2024 00:40
  • Unique Points
    • NASA is transitioning Hubble Space Telescope to operate using only one gyroscope.
    • One particular gyro has been experiencing ‘saturation’ and causing the telescope to enter safe mode multiple times.
    • Hubble can continue making science observations with only one gyro, but there will be some minor limitations such as longer slew times and less flexibility in target selection.
  • Accuracy
    • Hubble will be less efficient with a loss of about 12 percent of observation time.
    • Last servicing mission in 2009 replaced all six gyroscopes but three have failed since then.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

The Hubble Space Telescope has lost a majority of its gyroscopes

Ars Technica Eric Berger Tuesday, 04 June 2024 22:18
  • Unique Points
    • Hubble Space Telescope is running out of gyroscopes and will operate on a single gyroscope
    • Last servicing mission in 2009 replaced all six gyroscopes but three have failed since then
    • Hubble will be unable to observe objects closer than Mars, including Venus and the Moon
  • Accuracy
    • NASA announced reduction of Hubble’s operations to preserve the telescope
    • Three out of six gyroscopes have failed, another one, ‘gyro 3’, has returned faulty data
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

94%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope temporarily pauses observations after malfunction

ABC NEWS SITE NAMES Name: ABC News Site Names URL: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-officially-blames-iran_106834435 ABC News Wednesday, 05 June 2024 00:47
  • Unique Points
    • Hubble has faced initial issues with its gyroscopes prior to this incident.
    • NASA announced attempts to fix the malfunctioning gyroscope have failed.
  • Accuracy
    • The Hubble Space Telescope has suffered a breakdown due to a malfunctioning gyroscope, limiting its scientific discoveries.
    • NASA announced on Tuesday that attempts to fix the malfunctioning gyroscope have failed, and it will now operate with just one gyroscope.
    • Hubble is expected to continue making discoveries for the rest of this decade and next despite its limited capabilities.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains a few informal fallacies and an example of inflammatory rhetoric. It uses anecdotal evidence by mentioning Hubble's past issues with its mirror and the fact that it has been 'on its last legs' in the past. Additionally, there is a dichotomous depiction when stating that either Hubble will continue to function or it is on its last legs. The inflammatory rhetoric comes from referring to billionaires who buy their own SpaceX flights as 'buying their own missions', which implies a negative connotation.
    • . . . the space telescope slipped into a hibernating state more than a week ago when one of its three remaining gyroscopes . . .
    • Hubble has run into more trouble.
    • The space agency is not considering a mission to boost the observatory to a higher orbit for now in order to extend its life.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

96%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Hubble will change how it points, but NASA says 'great science' will continue

National Public Radio (NPR) Nell Greenfieldboyce Tuesday, 04 June 2024 00:00
  • Unique Points
    • Hubble has been in orbit since 1990 and was last repaired 15 years ago.
    • NASA will shift Hubble to a one-gyroscope mode of operation to avoid using the faulty gyro.
  • Accuracy
    • Hubble can continue making science observations with only one gyro, but there will be some minor limitations such as longer slew times and less flexibility in target selection.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (90%)
    The article contains a few instances of appeals to authority and inflammatory rhetoric, but no formal or dichotomous fallacies are present. The author states that NASA has decided not to pursue a private astronaut's plan to extend the Hubble Telescope's lifespan, citing potential risks. This is an appeal to authority as it relies on NASA's expertise and decision-making process. Additionally, the author uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing Hubble's current state as 'old', implying that its age is the primary reason for its issues.
    • The Hubble Space Telescope is suffering the kinds of aches and pains that can come with being old, and NASA officials say they’re shifting into a new way of pointing the telescope in order to work around a piece of hardware that’s become intolerably glitchy.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

99%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

The Hubble Space Telescope is old. Here's NASA's new plan to keep it alive through 2035

Space.com Mike Wall Tuesday, 04 June 2024 22:09
  • Unique Points
    • Hubble Space Telescope entered safe mode due to gyroscope anomaly
    • Two functioning gyros remain out of six
    • NASA will shift Hubble into one-gyro mode, saving the other for future use
    • One-gyro mode imposes limitations on switching targets and observing certain parts of the sky
  • Accuracy
    • NASA is transitioning Hubble Space Telescope to operate using only one gyroscope.
    • NASA had long considered this operational mode as the best way to prolong Hubble’s life and allow it to make consistent science observations with fewer than three working gyros.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication