NASA Shuts Off Instrument on Voyager 1 to Keep Spacecraft Operating - NASA Science
science.nasa.gov
On April 17, engineers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California sent commands to shut down an instrument aboard Voyager 1 called the

Engineers are confident that shutting down the LECP will give Voyager 1 about a year of breathing room. They are using the time to finalize a more ambitious energy-saving fix for both Voyagers they call “the Big Bang,” which is designed to further extend Voyager operations. The idea is to swap out a group of powered devices all at once — hence the nickname — turning some things off and replacing them with lower-power alternatives to keep the spacecraft warm enough to continue gathering science data.

  • mnemonicmonkeys@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    12·
    3 hours ago

    The Voyager mission launched in 1977. If I recall correctly, it takes roughly 80 years for the planets to realign for that purpose. If I didn’t misremember, we’re about halfway through waiting.

    • dhork@lemmy.worldEnglish
      6·
      2 hours ago

      1977…

      Roughly 80 years

      If I didn’t misremember, we’re about halfway through waiting.

      A bit more than halfway, although sometimes I am shocked by how long ago 1977 was. Wasn’t it just, like, 30 years ago or so?

      It can’t possibly be 49 years ago, can it?