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NASA's 'Big Bang' fix extends Voyager 2's mission

1 min read
Source: CNN
NASA's 'Big Bang' fix extends Voyager 2's mission
Photo: CNN
TL;DR

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory's 'Big Bang' power-management fix on Voyager 2 disables two heaters and a heat-dissipating device while switching on lower-power components, plus a software update so safe-mode includes these devices. The result is about a year of extended data from Voyager 2's three remaining instruments; a similar plan is in place for Voyager 1 with thermal tests by late August. Launched in 1977 and powered by RTGs, both probes remain the farthest active spacecraft from Earth as they traverse interstellar space.

Topics:sciencespace#interstellar-space#nasa#power-management#space#voyager
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  1. ‘Big Bang’ fix boosts Voyager 2’s mission in interstellar space  CNN
  2. NASA Engineers Help Prolong Voyager 2’s Science Mission  NASA Science (.gov)
  3. Voyager 2 cheats the power budget for another year  The Register
  4. This ‘Ancient’ Spacecraft Keeps Defying Death—But How Much Longer Will Its Extended Mission Last?  The Debrief
  5. NASA’s ‘Big Bang’ Saves Voyager 2’s Last Three Interstellar Instruments  Tech Times

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