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Update on the NASA Voyagers

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TimFox:
Yes, that's true of the RTG as discussed in the NASA article.
Actual fission reactors have been used in spacecraft by the Soviet Union, and once by the US for higher power in spacecraft.
See a discussion in  https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/non-power-nuclear-applications/transport/nuclear-reactors-for-space.aspx
Possible electrical generators discussed include thermopiles and Sterling heat engines.

Alex Nikitin:
For me (as a certified tapehead) the most interesting fact is that Voyager 2 has a (still operational AFAIK) tape recorder on board.

 8)

Cheers

Alex

Psi:

--- Quote from: Benta on October 24, 2023, 09:36:44 pm ---"Reactor" is a bit over the top to my mind. It evokes images of "China Syndrome" etc.
It's simply a lump of 238Pu with thermogenerators stuck to it.
Apart from the fact of Pu being somewhat poisonous, I don't see a radiation issue.

--- End quote ---

The issue, I think, was a mission failure where the craft re-enters the atmosphere and burns up. You don't want to spread a mist of Pu238 over a wide area.
I seem to recall the radioactive material is somewhat shielded in a way to survive reentry intact. But there is always a risk, it could get hit with other space debris and shattered into small pieces before re-entering.

But if we want to explore the outer solar system it's really the best option.

Andy Chee:
Fission reactors were probably deemed too unreliable for deep space probes (too many moving parts for control rods) as retrieving the satellite for repair is not an option, hence the preference for RTGs (zero moving parts).

Uranus and/or Neptune are priority targets for NASA for an orbiter probe, similar to Cassini & Saturn, so watch this space.  Any launch trajectory will inevitably require gravity slingshots, probably from Venus and/or Earth.

FrankBuss:
I wonder if there are details about the computer on the Voyager and the software, or even an emulator. I just found some general descriptions, like that they are using 3 computers, and Fortran and assembler. I guess NASA has an emulator for it? Would be fun to play with.

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