Kepler: Nasa retires prolific telescope from planet-hunting duties
Source: BBC
16 August 2013 Last updated at 08:37 GMT
Kepler: Nasa retires prolific telescope from planet-hunting duties
The prolific Kepler space telescope has had to give up its prime planet-hunting mission after engineers failed to find a fix for its hobbled pointing system.
The observatory lost the second of its four reaction wheels in May, meaning it can no longer hold completely steady as it looks towards the stars.
Nasa engineers have worked through a number of possible solutions but have failed to find one that will work.
Kepler has so far confirmed 135 planets beyond our Solar System.
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Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23724344
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That's so many that it will take years to get them confirmed.
It's too bad Kepler has broken down, but within its treasure trove of data there are likely thousands of more discoveries.
Raise a glass to Kepler!
May it find a new mission.
