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If you've ever worked in an IT department, you'll know that most problems require incredibly simple solutions. First, make sure the device is plugged in. Second, turn off the device and turn it back on. Third, move or change some things. It seems that such solutions have worked with the Hubble Space Telescope, which went into safe mode two weeks ago after a gyro failure.
According to NASA's press release:
In an attempt to correct the high error rates produced by the emergency gyroscope, the Hubble Operations team reset the gyro on 16 October. This procedure turned off the gyroscope for one second, then restarted it before the motorized wheel turned again. The intention was to eliminate any failures that might have occurred during the start of October 6, after the gyro was shut down for more than 7.5 years. However, the data obtained show no improvement in the performance of the gyroscope.
On October 18, the Hubble Operations team ordered a series of maneuvers, or turns in opposite directions, to try to eliminate any blockages that could be causing these rates of 39, extremely high error. During each maneuver, the gyroscope was changed between its two modes of operation to correct any possible blockage.
Most of my professional experiences outside of journalism have involved software troubleshooting and printer setup. Although NASA 's explanation seems technical, this series of maneuvers looks like what you can tell someone to do with a printer: first, restart. Second, try to eliminate any jams you see. And now, everything is fine.
Hubble, a crucial tool used by astronomers around the world, went into safe mode earlier this month. The telescope is based on three gyroscopes with motion detection to remain stable. One of the oldest gyroscopes failed after six months. But when the team tried to light a backup gyroscope, it did not work properly.
Although the telescope has backup plans to operate with fewer gyroscopes, these plans could set limits on the telescope's position and the time required to switch targets.
"Hubble, switching to turn-based mode in particular, would have hindered our efforts to characterize the atmospheres of extrasolar planets in the years leading up to James Webb."Researcher Jessie Christiansen from the NASA's Exoplanet Science Institute told Gizmodo."Yes, it's a big relief!"
The gyroscopes of the telescope are motorized rotating wheels inside a cylinder that enters a fluid, which can detect changes in the movement of the telescope. The wheel was spinning too fast, perhaps because the cylinder was off center. The team turned off and on the gyro, moved the Hubble from side to side, and changed the gyro between its two modes. The gyroscope now seems to work properly.
I'm sure the scientists working at Hubble will scold me and say that the maneuver is a bit more complicated than what I'm saying, but it's good to think you can fix a billion-dollar telescope. dollars the same way. you do with any other piece of technology.
More tests need to be done before the telescope can reconnect, but fortunately it is expected that it will return to its normal function.
There is still much to be said about the aging of US space infrastructure. But we still have the Hubble, for the moment.
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