"We're like pirates": NASA risks a lot so that Voyager 1 and 2 can continue sending data from space
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Risky ‘Big Bang’ cuts Voyager probes’ power useThe ‘Big Bang’ saves about 10 watts on Voyager 2; a similar intervention is planned for Voyager 1.
- Launched in 1977, the probes are about 25.6 billion and 21.4 billion kilometers from Earth respectively and continue sending data from interstellar space.
- Their plutonium batteries initially produced about 470 watts each, while Voyager 2 now generates 216 watts and Voyager 1 slightly less; only three and two scientific instruments remain operational, respectively.
- After a brief test and a six-hour review, the new configuration was permanently activated on Voyager 2, saving about 10 watts and potentially buying the probe time until 2031, while a similar intervention for Voyager 1 is planned for operation through 2030.
- Voyager 1 crossed the heliopause in 2012 and Voyager 2 followed in 2018; the team is considering briefly reactivating shut-down instruments after the 50th anniversary, although this could endanger the mission.
"We are like pirates"— Said by Mission Manager Kareem Badaruddin; describing NASA taking risks to keep the Voyager probes alive.
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"We're like pirates": NASA risks a lot so that Voyager 1 and 2 can continue sending data from space
fr.de/wissen/voyager-sonden-warum-die-nasa-um-jedes-watt-kaempft-zr-94455623.html
“We’re like pirates”: NASA risks a lot so that Voyager 1 and 2 can continue sending data from space
giessener-allgemeine.de/welt/voyager-sonden-warum-die-nasa-um-jedes-watt-kaempft-zr-94455623.html
“We’re like pirates”: NASA risks a lot so that Voyager 1 and 2 can continue sending data from space
merkur.de/wissen/voyager-sonden-warum-die-nasa-um-jedes-watt-kaempft-zr-94455623.html
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"We're like pirates": NASA risks a lot so that Voyager 1 and 2 can continue sending data from space.
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"We're like pirates": NASA risks a lot so that Voyager 1 and 2 can continue sending data from space
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“We are like pirates”: NASA risks a lot so that Voyager 1 and 2 continue to send data from space
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