News in Brief Planetary Science

NASA gives up on fixing Kepler

Space telescope’s days as a premier planet hunter are over

KEPLER BEYOND REPAIR  Two of the four reaction wheels on the Kepler space telescope (illustrated) have failed, and NASA has halted efforts to repair it.

NASA

By Andrew Grant

- More than 2 years ago

NASA’s planet-hunting Kepler space telescope, hobbled by the breakdown of two crucial parts, is beyond repair, officials announced in a teleconference August 15.