NASA's gamma-ray observatory is in safe mode after a possible wheel failure

Discuss current topic regarding space exploration.
Post Reply
User avatar
smp United States of America
Inter-Galactic Ambassador
Articles: 0
Online
Posts: 3413
Joined: Sat May 11, 2019 10:34 pm
4
Location: NH, USA
Status:
Online

NASA's gamma-ray observatory is in safe mode after a possible wheel failure

#1

Post by smp »


From Space.com:
"... On Tuesday night (Jan. 18), the observatory, a gamma-ray hunting space telescope originally called the Swift Gamma-Ray Burst Explorer, went into safe mode and paused all science work. This maneuver may have been in response to a reaction wheel failure, which the mission team continues to explore. ..."

https://www.space.com/nasa-swift-observ ... tion-wheel

Here's hoping for the best!

smp
Stephen
- - - - -
Telescopes: Questar 3.5 Standard SN 18-11421; Stellina (EAA)
Solar: Thousand Oaks white light filter; Daystar Quark (chromosphere) Hα filter
Mounts: Explore Scientific Twilight I; Majestic heavy duty tripod
Local Club: New Hampshire Astronomical Society
User avatar
Frankskywatcher United States of America
Orion Spur Ambassador
Articles: 0
Offline
Posts: 944
Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2022 8:30 pm
2
Location: Conway South Carolina USA
Status:
Offline

TSS Awards Badges

Re: NASA's gamma-ray observatory is in safe mode after a possible wheel failure

#2

Post by Frankskywatcher »


I knew it was out there but I didn’t realize it’s been there since 2004, not bad in reality for a mission that long.
Gee if I had known there was so much to see I would have started decades ago ! :Astronomer1:

Equipment :
Apertura AD10” Dobsonian

Polaris 4” Dobsonian

7x50 binoculars
User avatar
helicon United States of America
Co-Administrator
Co-Administrator
Articles: 591
Online
Posts: 12350
Joined: Mon May 06, 2019 1:35 pm
4
Location: Washington
Status:
Online

TSS Awards Badges

Re: NASA's gamma-ray observatory is in safe mode after a possible wheel failure

#3

Post by helicon »


SAFE mode used to be a Windows setting, I believe. Hopefully the Observatory is not running on Windows! :lol:
-Michael
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50
Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl
Camera: ZWO ASI 120
Naked Eye: Two Eyeballs
Latitude: 48.7229° N
Post Reply

Create an account or sign in to join the discussion

You need to be a member in order to post a reply

Create an account

Not a member? register to join our community
Members can start their own topics & subscribe to topics
It’s free and only takes a minute

Register

Sign in

Return to “Space Exploration”