NASA space telescope resumes operations after gyroscope glitch

NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO) is back online after a brief switch to safe mode last week.

On October 10th, just before 10:00 am EDT, the telescope automatically entered a secure configuration, swapping essential hardware on backup devices and changing direction for optimal solar panel charging.

Officials quickly pointed out that "all systems were working as intended" during the abrupt transition and that "scientific instruments are safe".

Launched in July 1999, Chandra is one of the "big observatories" with the Hubble Space Telescope, the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory and the Spitzer Space Telescope.

A set of high-tech mirrors makes Chandra sensitive to X-ray sources 100 times weaker than earlier instruments of this type.

His initial five-year mission has long since expired; CXO has been floating in space for almost 20 years – endlessly in sight.

Artist Concept of the Chandra X-Ray Observatory (via NASA / CXC / SAO)

On Monday, NASA reported that a problem in one of Chandra's gyroscopes had created a domino effect throughout the facility. A three-second period of erroneous data led the computer to calculate an incorrect value for the satellite's momentum, which eventually triggered safe mode. .

"The team has finalized its project of permutation of gyroscopes and storage of the gyroscope which has known the small problem," said the agency. "Once configured with a series of pre-tested flight software fixes, the team will hand Chandra over to the scientific operations that should begin by the end of the week."

The cosmic hiccup came just days after the Hubble Space Telescope entered safe mode, following the failure of one of its three active gyroscopes.

NASA's interstellar spyglass collection is not entirely bleak: Earlier this year, researchers used Chandra's powerful, high-resolution angular mirrors to capture a family portrait of stars in the NGC 6231 group, about 5,000 light-years from Earth.

For your ultimate spatial solution, check out Neil Armstrong's Biopic review by MovieBob. First man, and these 63 incredible images of the Earth from the cosmos. And follow all NASA things here.