Ailing Voyager spacecraft shows signs of life

[helicon]

https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2024/0 ... rmer-self/

[messier 111]

it's fascinating everything that surrounds the probes, thx.

[jrkirkham]

It does remind me of Star Trek.

[Lady Fraktor]

Hopefully they can get it operating again.

[seigell]

The OP's article from Pasadena erroneously indicates that the Voyager Probes "do not have long to live. Soon, they will power down, aimlessly floating through space."
Both Voyager probes power themselves with radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) whose thermal output declines with time, and the current output levels are almost to the original design limits.

But...
The Voyager Team at JPL has devised plans to trade shutting off individual Science Instruments for additional duration of the RTGs due to the reduced electrical load/consumption.
So, barring age and accidents, both Voyagers will have the power to continue responding to us (their velocities are the result of gravitational slingshots from the Gas and Ice Giants - so no propellent issues) for years to come.
NASA’s Voyager Will Do More Science With New Power Strategy

[helicon]

The OP's article from Pasadena erroneously indicates that the Voyager Probes "do not have long to live. Soon, they will power down, aimlessly floating through space."
Both Voyager probes power themselves with radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) whose thermal output declines with time, and the current output levels are almost to the original design limits.

But...
The Voyager Team at JPL has devised plans to trade shutting off individual Science Instruments for additional duration of the RTGs due to the reduced electrical load/consumption.
So, barring age and accidents, both Voyagers will have the power to continue responding to us (their velocities are the result of gravitational slingshots from the Gas and Ice Giants - so no propellent issues) for years to come.
NASA’s Voyager Will Do More Science With New Power Strategy

Thank you that's good to know

[Graeme1858]

NASA finds clue while solving Voyager 1's communication breakdown case

https://www.space.com/voyager-1-communi ... ign=MANUAL

[smp]

Thanks very much, Graeme!
An exciting view into this phase of the adventure!

smp

[smp]

From Ars Technica:
"NASA knows what knocked Voyager 1 offline, but it will take a while to fix"

https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/04/t ... 1-offline/

smp

[helicon]

Thanks Stephen. I hope the folks at JPL will be able to correct the problems.