How Voyager engineers found two more years in a 50-year-old power budget
Even two-tenths of a watt matters when your spacecraft launched in 1977
In a remarkable engineering feat, the Voyager 2 spacecraft has been given an additional two years of life by extending its power budget. This was achieved through a strategy known as the "Big Bang," which involved switching multiple systems on and off simultaneously rather than sequentially. Project Manager Suzanne Dodd explains that this approach allowed the spacecraft to maintain its electronics' warmth during power switching, preventing propellant lines from freezing.
The new configuration was tested on Earth and then implemented on Voyager 2 in June, with the thermal model confirmed to be accurate. As a result, the Cosmic Ray System has been postponed until after 2027, and the team is now considering reviving previously shut-down instruments to save power. While the spacecraft faces increasing challenges, the innovative engineering solutions continue to extend its mission.
Written by urgent.news from The Register's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
