Hubble telescope is working in ‘safe mode

Context

NASA plans to fix a glitch that has stopped the Hubble space telescope from being used for science work for more than a month.

About the Hubble Telescope

• The Hubble telescope was launched in 1990.
• It is considered the most important scientific tool ever to be built, having churned out more than 15 lakh observations that have been used to publish around 18,000 research papers.
• The telescope was named after the astronomer Edwin Hubble.
• The observatory is the first major optical telescope to be placed in space.
• The launch and deployment of Hubble are said to be the “most significant advance in astronomy since Galileo’s telescope.”
• It is larger than a school bus in size and has a 7.9 feet mirror.
• It captures stunning images of deep space and playing a major role in helping astronomers understand the universe.
• Hubble’s domain extends from the ultraviolet through the visible and into the near-infrared. 
• Cutting-edge scientific instruments have been added to the telescope throughout five astronaut servicing missions. 
• NASA also allows everyone to search the Hubble database.

The safe mode of the Hubble Telescope

• Hubble was put out of action after facing a problem with its payload computer.
• The safe mode was activated after an onboard computer halted that led to all non-essential systems being shut down.
• The team’s analysis suggests that either the voltage level from the regulator is beyond acceptable levels or the secondary protection circuit has degraded over time and has stuck in this inhibit state.
• In safe mode, the telescope is not carrying out any regularly scheduled observing program. It’s not pointing toward any targets or collecting data, but the telescope remains powered via its solar panels.