stories on Nostr: NASA Extends Voyager Mission with Software Updates and Innovative Approaches ( ...
NASA Extends Voyager Mission with Software Updates and Innovative Approaches ( #dddf00af , v0.04)
https://local12.com/news/offbeat/nasa-voyager-1-2-software-update-12-billion-miles-away-spacecraft-science-jet-propulsion-laboratory-project-manager-cincinnati-1977-50-year-long-cosmic-journey-patch-notes-science-scientific-attitude-articulation-control-system-mission-engineers-react
In a remarkable feat of technological achievement, NASA has successfully sent a software update to the Voyager 2 spacecraft, which is currently 12 billion miles away from Earth . This update is intended to prevent an issue that occurred on the Voyager 1 spacecraft, which is even farther away at 15 billion miles. The Voyager spacecrafts have been operating in interstellar space, and the data they send back is invaluable for understanding the local universe. The update will first be tested on Voyager 2 before being applied to Voyager 1. The Voyager mission, originally planned for four years, was extended to include flybys of Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune .
Meanwhile, in the quest to explore the outer limits of our solar system, scientists and engineers are considering innovative approaches to reach distant destinations. One proposal suggests utilizing the thin atmosphere of Triton, Neptune's largest moon, to reach Neptune itself. By taking advantage of Triton's atmosphere, researchers believe they can slow down a spacecraft and allow it to be captured by Neptune's gravity. This groundbreaking method could potentially reduce the mission time to Neptune to just 15 years. Additionally, studying Triton up close would provide valuable scientific data about one of the least studied objects in the Solar System .
In addition to the software update, NASA is also preparing other updates to extend the life of the Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft, the most distant and long-lasting probes ever launched. Launched in 1977, these probes have been flying for over four decades. The goal is to give them at least five more years of life. The Voyager 1 crossed into interstellar space in 2012, and the Voyager 2 followed suit in 2018. However, their ability to send scientific data is limited by the duration of their atomic plutonium batteries. To address this, a team of engineers from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has developed new programming code to prevent computer malfunctions and a new protocol for firing the thrusters to reduce transmission line residue. These updates will ensure the continued operation of the Voyager probes for at least five more years .
These proposals and updates demonstrate the determination and ingenuity of scientists and engineers in their pursuit of knowledge and exploration in the outer reaches of our solar system. By pushing the boundaries of technology and utilizing innovative methods, we continue to expand our understanding of the universe and our place within it .
#NASA #Voyagerspacecraft #spaceexploration
References:
- WKRC: NASA sends software update to spacecraft 12 billion miles away
- NASA: https://headtopics.com/us/interstellar-tune-up-nasa-s-voyager-spacecraft-get-crucial-47496153
- Folha: https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/blogs/mensageiro-sideral/2023/10/nasa-prepara-atualizacoes-para-esticar-vida-das-sondas-voyager.shtml
- Gadget Tendency: https://gadgettendency.com/scientists-have-figured-out-how-to-use-triton-to-reach-neptune/
https://local12.com/news/offbeat/nasa-voyager-1-2-software-update-12-billion-miles-away-spacecraft-science-jet-propulsion-laboratory-project-manager-cincinnati-1977-50-year-long-cosmic-journey-patch-notes-science-scientific-attitude-articulation-control-system-mission-engineers-react
In a remarkable feat of technological achievement, NASA has successfully sent a software update to the Voyager 2 spacecraft, which is currently 12 billion miles away from Earth . This update is intended to prevent an issue that occurred on the Voyager 1 spacecraft, which is even farther away at 15 billion miles. The Voyager spacecrafts have been operating in interstellar space, and the data they send back is invaluable for understanding the local universe. The update will first be tested on Voyager 2 before being applied to Voyager 1. The Voyager mission, originally planned for four years, was extended to include flybys of Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune .
Meanwhile, in the quest to explore the outer limits of our solar system, scientists and engineers are considering innovative approaches to reach distant destinations. One proposal suggests utilizing the thin atmosphere of Triton, Neptune's largest moon, to reach Neptune itself. By taking advantage of Triton's atmosphere, researchers believe they can slow down a spacecraft and allow it to be captured by Neptune's gravity. This groundbreaking method could potentially reduce the mission time to Neptune to just 15 years. Additionally, studying Triton up close would provide valuable scientific data about one of the least studied objects in the Solar System .
In addition to the software update, NASA is also preparing other updates to extend the life of the Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft, the most distant and long-lasting probes ever launched. Launched in 1977, these probes have been flying for over four decades. The goal is to give them at least five more years of life. The Voyager 1 crossed into interstellar space in 2012, and the Voyager 2 followed suit in 2018. However, their ability to send scientific data is limited by the duration of their atomic plutonium batteries. To address this, a team of engineers from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has developed new programming code to prevent computer malfunctions and a new protocol for firing the thrusters to reduce transmission line residue. These updates will ensure the continued operation of the Voyager probes for at least five more years .
These proposals and updates demonstrate the determination and ingenuity of scientists and engineers in their pursuit of knowledge and exploration in the outer reaches of our solar system. By pushing the boundaries of technology and utilizing innovative methods, we continue to expand our understanding of the universe and our place within it .
#NASA #Voyagerspacecraft #spaceexploration
References:
- WKRC: NASA sends software update to spacecraft 12 billion miles away
- NASA: https://headtopics.com/us/interstellar-tune-up-nasa-s-voyager-spacecraft-get-crucial-47496153
- Folha: https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/blogs/mensageiro-sideral/2023/10/nasa-prepara-atualizacoes-para-esticar-vida-das-sondas-voyager.shtml
- Gadget Tendency: https://gadgettendency.com/scientists-have-figured-out-how-to-use-triton-to-reach-neptune/