Hubble Is In Bad Shape. Here’s NASA’s Plan To Keep It Alive

The Hubble Space Telescope, a powerhouse of space exploration for nearly three decades, is facing a major new problem: the failure of its gyroscopes. Only two of the six essential instruments originally installed are still operational. So what can be done to keep operations going?

A problem with gyroscopes

Since its launch in 1990 on board the spaceship NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has revolutionized our understanding of the universe by providing us with spectacular images and valuable scientific data. However, over the years, the telescope has required several maintenance interventions to maintain peak performance. These five servicing missions, carried out by astronauts aboard the space shuttle, repaired and upgraded Hubble’s instruments, ensuring its ability to continue exploring the universe. Unfortunately, not everything can be repaired. Its gyroscopes are among Hubble’s most critical components. These devices are essential for orienting the telescope and keeping it stable during observations. Unfortunately, despite efforts to replace and repair them over the years, these instruments have shown signs of continued failure, posing an increasing challenge to the telescope’s operations. In response, NASA has been examining options to extend Hubble’s life. One proposal considered was to mount a servicing mission to replace the failed gyroscopes and make other necessary repairs. However, this option presented significant logistical and technical challenges and would have required considerable resources.
The globular star cluster Messier 4 photographed by Hubble. Credits: ESA/Hubble and NASA

A plan to keep Hubble going until 2035

After weighing the pros and cons of each option, NASA finally opted for the decision to keep the telescope in operation using a single gyroscope and keeping the second in reserve. This measure will naturally have significant implications for its scientific operations. Indeed, the telescope will more time pointing to new objects in space, reducing its planning efficiency by nearly 12 percent. It will also no longer be able to observe objects closer to Earth than Mars, such as Venus and the Moon, which require more frequent and rapid adjustments to the telescope’s position for effective observation. Despite these challenges, however, officials are optimistic that it will continue to contribute to scientific research through the mid-2030s. In partnership with the James Webb Space Telescope, Hubble forms a powerful duo that allows astronomers to observe the universe in different ranges of light and gather valuable information about its nature and evolution.