NASA's Hubble Space Telescope experiences glitch, observations are suspended

[Elderberry]

cNet by Amanda Kooser 10/26/2021

The workhorse telescope has been placed into safe mode.

The Hubble Space Telescope is facing a new technical challenge, the latest in a series of issues that have thrown the aging observatory off its game in recent years.

"Hubble's science instruments went into safe mode on Monday after experiencing synchronization issues with internal spacecraft communications," NASA tweeted. "Science observations have been temporarily suspended while the team investigates the issue. The instruments remain in good health."

Safe mode is designed to keep the telescope stable and allow it to remain powered via its solar panels while its team works through whatever technical problem is bothering it.

More: https://www.cnet.com/news/nasas-hubble-space-telescope-experiences-glitch-observations-are-suspended/

[Kamaji]

When was that thing officially supposed to hit EOL?  It's been running like the Energizer Bunny (not that I'm complaining; just curious).

[Elderberry]

When was that thing officially supposed to hit EOL?  It's been running like the Energizer Bunny (not that I'm complaining; just curious).

About - The Hubble Story

https://www.nasa.gov/content/about-the-hubble-story

Hubble Today

Hubble’s mission was to spend at least 15 years probing the farthest and faintest reaches of the cosmos. Hubble has far exceeded this goal, operating and observing the universe for over 30 years. During its time in orbit, the telescope has taken more than 1.5 million observations, and astronomers have used that data to publish more than 18,000 peer-reviewed scientific publications on a broad range of topics.

With any piece of machinery that’s 30 years old comes some aging parts. No more servicing missions are scheduled to repair or replace equipment on Hubble. However, a dedicated team of engineers and scientists are continuously working to keep Hubble operating for as long as possible. For example, Hubble’s engineers have figured out a way the telescope could continue observing the universe on only one gyro, using other types of sensors on the spacecraft to make up for gyros that have failed. This and other innovations designed to extend the lifetime of Hubble’s equipment will keep the telescope exploring for years to come.

While nearly impossible to provide a comprehensive list of all the scientific contributions Hubble has made so far during its career, the telescope’s observations have contributed to the understanding of the development and growth of galaxies, the presence of black holes in most galaxies, the birth of stars, and the atmospheric composition of planets outside our solar system. Hubble’s explorations have fundamentally changed our perception of the universe and will continue to reveal new insights for many more years.

[Kamaji]

About - The Hubble Story

https://www.nasa.gov/content/about-the-hubble-story

Thanks!

[Joe Wooten]

I wonder if Space X can convert a Dragon into a service mission for it?

[Elderberry]

I wonder if Space X can convert a Dragon into a service mission for it?

How about converting a Starship into a New, Larger Hubble?

The Hubble Telescope is old, Musk: SpaceX "Starship" is here to relay!

https://min.news/en/tech/ecf93b0e77f0269ff844a9d82e19cbe7.html

Xinzhiyuan Report

　　[Guide to Xinzhiyuan] Recently, some netizens asked Musk on Twitter: Can the "Starship" be made into a detector and given it a scientific detection mission, save money and effort, and give two things to do. Musk agrees very much: The "Starship" itself is a giant astronomical telescope. Compared with the Hubble Telescope, the resolution is more than 10 times higher.

　　Recently, Musk cueed NASA's Hubble Telescope.

　　On June 13, the 31-year-old Hubble Telescope suddenly "out of service."

What if Musk's "starship" is turned into an astronomical telescope?

　　"Starship" turned into an astronomical telescope

　　On Twitter, a netizen asked Musk if he had considered making the "starship" a detector, giving the "starship" a scientific detection mission, saving money and effort, and doing both.

[Ghost Bear]

cNet by Amanda Kooser 10/26/2021

...

"Hubble's science instruments went into safe mode on Monday after experiencing synchronization issues with internal spacecraft communications," NASA tweeted. "Science observations have been temporarily suspended while the team investigates the issue. The instruments remain in good health."

...

So... Hubble accidentally spotted the approaching alien invasion force, and NASA is trying to cover it up? OK then.