Technical Good News for Hubble -- But Will it Lead to a Reprieve? (April 8, 2005)

    Science reports "NASA engineers say that they can run Hubble on two gyroscopes rather than the three now operating. Space agency managers hope that turning off one gyro could extend Hubble's life by 6 months or more without affecting the quality of science returned." If nothing turning off the third gyroscope would allow for more time to determine the most useful course of action. Under current conditions Hubble would cease to function "in late 2007 or early 2008".

Meanwhile on the robotic servicing front "[e]ngineers told Science that they have a plan to install two sets of three gyroscopes within an instrument now waiting on Earth to be installed in Hubble. With new gyros and new batteries, they say, Hubble could continue to operate for well over a decade. But incoming Administrator Michael Griffin likely will revisit the servicing issue. Griffin's Senate confirmation hearing is slated for 12 April."