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

NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has temporarily stopped its science observations while the mission team investigates an issue.

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. .

This is the first reaction wheel failure in the telescope's 17 years of operating in space.

While the team continues to work on the suspected failure of the sixth wheel, mission personnel also hope to get Swift's science instruments back up and running with just five wheels, the statement noted. .

The Swift Observatory’s science instruments went into safe mode after a possible reaction wheel failure!

Pointed science observations are temporarily suspended while the team investigates the issue.

The space telescope lifted off on a mission to study gamma-ray bursts, incredibly energetic explosions in faraway galaxies!