NASA’s iconic spacecraft Voyager 2 has made a significant decision. The spacecraft, located about 13 billion miles (20.9 billion kilometers) from Earth, will shut down a scientific experiment to conserve energy. Voyager 2 has been on a mission for 47 years.
Voyager 2’s Energy Challenge
Due to dwindling power, Voyager 2 has halted its “Plasma Science” experiment. This experiment is crucial for observing solar winds. The command to disable the experiment was sent on September 26 through NASA’s Deep Space Network.
Communication Delay
It took 19 hours for the signal to reach the spacecraft. NASA received a confirmation signal from Voyager 2 19 hours later. Although Voyager 2’s power is declining, NASA predicts that at least one scientific instrument will remain operational until the 2030s.
Power Source Details
Voyager 2 derives its energy from three radioisotope thermoelectric generators. These generators convert heat from the decay of plutonium into electricity. However, NASA noted that shutting down instruments is not an ideal situation.
Mission Context
Like its twin, Voyager 1, Voyager 2 operates in interstellar space, beyond the heliosphere. The data collected in this region is unique and invaluable for scientific research. Voyager 2 confirmed its departure from the heliosphere in 2018 through the plasma experiment.
Importance of Plasma Science
The instruments used in the plasma experiment are designed to study solar winds. They analyze the flow of ions and electrons emitted by the Sun. This research contributes to our understanding of solar activity and its effects on the solar system.
Conclusion
The decision to shut down a scientific experiment on Voyager 2 underscores the challenges of long-term space missions. Despite this, NASA continues to strive for scientific discoveries from this historic spacecraft.
Source: TRT
