There is a purpose step one to troubleshooting know-how is normally ridiculously easy: turning issues on and off once more typically works. It should not be any shock then, that when one of many Hubble Space Telescope’s gyroscopes stated acting up, NASA determined to strive placing the defective backup gyro by a ‘working restart.’
OK, that is a bit of extra sophisticated than turning it on and off once more. The gryoscope had been turned off for over 7.5 years, and since being turned on had been returning incorrect rotation charges. NASA hoped that turning the gryo off for a single second, then restarting it earlier than the wheel stopped spinning, would possibly clear the fault — nevertheless it did not work. As a substitute, NASA coaxed the gyro into regular operation by switching it into ‘excessive mode’ and ‘low mode’ whereas turning the Telescope in reverse instructions.
This is how NASA described the process, in technical phrases:
In an try and appropriate the erroneously excessive charges produced by the backup gyro, the Hubble operations workforce executed a working restart of the gyro on Oct. 16. This process turned the gyro off for one second, after which restarted it earlier than the wheel spun down. The intention was to clear any faults that will have occurred throughout startup on Oct. 6, after the gyro had been off for greater than 7.5 years. Nevertheless, the ensuing information confirmed no enchancment within the gyro’s efficiency.
On Oct. 18, the Hubble operations workforce commanded a collection of spacecraft maneuvers, or turns, in reverse instructions to try to clear any blockage that will have precipitated the float to be off-center and produce the exceedingly excessive charges. Throughout every maneuver, the gyro was switched from excessive mode to low mode to dislodge any blockage that will have amassed across the float.
It is true, that is a bit of extra sophisticated than my gross oversimplification — nevertheless it’s form of enjoyable to think about the steps for fixing the Hubble House Telescope aren’t that completely different than the steps you would possibly take to troubleshoot your router. Flip it on and off once more. Jiggle issues backwards and forwards. Mess around with the settings. Should you’re fortunate, these seemingly meaningless actions will reset no matter was mistaken and get issues again on monitor. In any case, it really works for NASA.
The Hubble operations workforce says the issue appears to have been resolved, however it will likely be working extra checks to ensure earlier than returning the telescope to regular operations.