The space community has had a tough metre of previous . In the past few months , we ’ve had to grapple with the news that the Dawn and Kepler spacecraft were function out of fuel , the Opportunity rover is stuck on Mars , and the Hubble and Chandra telescopes were both in problem .

The issue was with one of Hubble ’s gyroscopes . The scope had three leftover working , from an initial six after launching in 1990 , that enable it to point at remote stars . But on Friday October 5 , it was foundone of them was n’t ferment , meaning it could n’t orientate itself properly .

Hubble was put into safe style while engineers investigated the egress . Without three work gyro , Hubble ’s scientific discipline power would be significantly reduced , although it could still perform astronomy – albeit somewhat determine – with a exclusive gyroscope .

NASAnoted in an updatethat a wheel inside the gyro is designed to spin at a charge per unit of 19,200 gyration per second . But engineers were get back “ extremely high gyration rates ” , do the scope to enter good manner .

In definitive style , technologist tried to puzzle out the progeny by turning the gyro on and off again on October 16 . This did n’t work , but on October 18 , they commanded the telescope to turn “ in opposite direction ” to clear any blockage in the gyro .

By trade the gyro from high fashion to low fashion , this seems to have fixed the gyroscope . After these maneuvers , the gyro block up spinning at its incorrect pace . As of October 19 , the gyroscope was back to normal .

“ Hubble then run additional maneuver to check that that the gyro remained stable within operational limit point as the spacecraft moved , ” say NASA . “ The squad saw no problem and keep to notice the gyro through the weekend to ensure that it remain unchanging . ”

Engineers will now perform additional tests to make certain it is working by rights . But all signs look beneficial at the here and now . After the tests , “ Hubble is expect to soon return to normal science operations , ” said NASA .

So our groovy telescope is saved . Sadly the word is n’t so good for the other missions – DawnandKeplerare expect to range out of fuel by the end of the year , and Opportunitystill has n’t spoken to ussince keep out down during a global dust storm on Mars .

But for now it ’s three cheers for Hubble , and here ’s hop the mission has many more fruitful years ahead of it .