The interstellar traveler is gradually losing power, but a clever tweak means it can continue running all of its scientific instruments.
As a result of the newly implemented hack, Voyager 2 is now using a small amount of backup power provisioned for an onboard safety mechanism designed to protect the craft from potentially damaging voltage spikes. The probe is stealing some of this juice—not a lot—to keep all five of its science instruments on.
“Although the spacecraft’s voltage will not be tightly regulated as a result, even after more than 45 years in flight, the electrical systems on both probes remain relatively stable, minimizing the need for a safety net,” according to NASA JPL. “The engineering team is also able to monitor the voltage and respond if it fluctuates too much. If the new approach works well for Voyager 2, the team may implement it on Voyager 1 as well.
Voltage spikes are a minor risk at this stage of the mission and the payoff—more science from Voyager 2—is worth it , according to Suzanne Dodd, Voyager’s project manager at JPL. “We’ve been monitoring the spacecraft for a few weeks, and it seems like this new approach is working,” she said.One of the greatest achievements in spaceflight history just got an extension, and for that we should all be profoundly grateful. It’s incredible, but after all these years NASA is still able to squeeze some added life from these pioneering probes.
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