But bit by bit, the smallest propellant tubes are developing deposits, much like clogged arteries.
So in the next decade or so (if nothing is done), they will no longer be able to adjust attitude, to keep the dish pointed toward Earth. This latest software package upload will let the pointing algorithm be more fault-tolerant, and thus fire the thrusters less often.
And with that small adjustment, Voyager 1 and 2 may see even longer mission extensions. Here's the latest, from NASA:
. . .Engineers for NASA’s Voyager mission are taking steps to help make sure both spacecraft, launched in 1977, continue to explore interstellar space for years to come. . . .
One effort addresses fuel residue that seems to be accumulating inside narrow tubes in some of the thrusters on the spacecraft. The thrusters are used to keep each spacecraft’s antenna pointed at Earth. This type of buildup has been observed in a handful of other spacecraft.
The team is also uploading a software patch to prevent the recurrence of a glitch that arose on Voyager 1 last year. Engineers resolved the glitch, and the patch is intended to prevent the issue from occurring again in Voyager 1 or arising in its twin, Voyager 2. . . .
In 2022, the onboard computer that orients the Voyager 1 spacecraft with Earth began to send back garbled status reports, despite otherwise continuing to operate normally. It took mission engineers months to pinpoint the issue. The attitude articulation and control system (AACS) was misdirecting commands, writing them into the computer memory instead of carrying them out. One of those missed commands wound up garbling the AACS status report before it could reach engineers on the ground.
The team determined the AACS had entered into an incorrect mode; however, they couldn’t determine the cause and thus aren’t sure if the issue could arise again. The software patch should prevent that. . . .
Now you know, on a fun Science Saturday night with the baby girls! Onward. . . . smiling.
नमस्ते
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