The Hubble Space Telescope is experiencing issues with one of its three remaining gyroscopes, crucial for its targeting capabilities.

To address this, mission managers have switched to a backup control mode, which will limit some observations but keep the telescope operational into the 2030s.

Patrick Crouse, the Hubble project manager, expressed confidence in Hubble’s continued success through the 2020s and into the 2030s.

Meanwhile, NASA has decided against a proposed commercial mission to boost Hubble’s altitude using a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, suggested by SpaceX and Jared Isaacman, CBS News has reported.

Boosting Hubble’s altitude would mitigate atmospheric drag, prolonging its operational life.

However, calculations show Hubble will remain in orbit until at least 2035, providing ample time to explore future options if necessary.

Written by B.C. Begley