20 votes

A broken thruster jeopardized Voyager 1, but engineers executed a remote fix

3 comments

  1. [3]
    mikey
    (edited )
    Link
    Nice little article that discusses challenges NASA scientists face keeping the Voyager space programs up and available to transmit valuable data back to Earth! The technology we made to send these...

    Nice little article that discusses challenges NASA scientists face keeping the Voyager space programs up and available to transmit valuable data back to Earth! The technology we made to send these spacecraft up into the stars is down right wonderful!

    9 votes
    1. [3]
      Comment deleted by author
      Link Parent
      1. ButteredToast
        Link Parent
        I was born too late to catch the launch of the Voyagers, but was there for the wave of books and TV programming that made heavy use of the Solar System photography they sent back. Those crafts...

        I was born too late to catch the launch of the Voyagers, but was there for the wave of books and TV programming that made heavy use of the Solar System photography they sent back. Those crafts played a major role in inspiring a strong interest in space that I continue to hold even now.

        At this point it’s difficult to not personify the Voyagers to some degree. It’ll be a sad day send they send their last transmission and power down.

        7 votes
      2. pumpkin-eater
        Link Parent
        I'm sorry to say that (unless you're unlucky) it definitely will be. The team running it are aiming to get it to 2030, but the reality of their dwindling nuclear power source means there's a limit...

        I'm sorry to say that (unless you're unlucky) it definitely will be. The team running it are aiming to get it to 2030, but the reality of their dwindling nuclear power source means there's a limit on how long it can keep operating.

        There's a lovely and sad documentary about this, https://itsquieterfilm.com/trailer

        4 votes