Voyager: at edge of our solar system

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Voyager spacecraft and its journey at the edge of the solar system, exploring the properties and limits of the heliosphere. Participants express curiosity about the implications of Voyager's findings for our understanding of the solar system and other stars, as well as technical aspects of the spacecraft's operation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that Voyager's findings challenge previous models of the solar system's boundary, suggesting a more complex interaction with the interstellar medium than initially expected.
  • There is interest in whether the characteristics observed in our solar system's heliosphere could apply to other stars of similar types.
  • One participant proposes that Voyager might be experiencing the true bow shock wave as it interacts with the interstellar medium.
  • Several participants express confusion about the definition of the solar system's edge, particularly regarding the Oort Cloud, with differing opinions on Voyager's current position relative to it.
  • Technical details about Voyager's power source, a radioisotope thermoelectric generator using plutonium, are discussed, including its longevity and efficiency concerns due to the decay of isotopes and aging components.
  • Some participants speculate on the feasibility of Voyager reaching another star, with calculations presented about the time it would take based on its current speed.
  • Concerns are raised about the future functionality of Voyager's generators, with references to the half-life of plutonium-238 and the expected decline in power generation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of curiosity and uncertainty regarding the implications of Voyager's findings, with no clear consensus on the definitions of the solar system's boundaries or the future of the spacecraft. Multiple competing views on these topics remain present in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in understanding the solar system's edge, the complexities of the heliosphere, and the technical aspects of Voyager's power source. There is also mention of unresolved calculations regarding travel time to the nearest star.

  • #31
There are two reasons that the Voyagers' computers are so puny.
  • When they were designed and built - the mid 1970's.
  • The necessity of being hardened against ionizing radiation.

Rad-hard chips are always some years behind their civilian counterparts. Consider What Powers the Mars Curiosity Rover? | News & Opinion | PCMag.com
That rover has a 200-MHz CPU with 256-MB RAM, 256-MB EEPROM, and 2-GB flash memory.
Its CPU is a BAE RAD 750, a rad-hard version of the IBM 750 one (mid 1990's).

Its predecessors are the Spirit and Opportunity rovers, launched in 2003.
Each of them has a 20-MHz CPU with 128-MB RAM, 3-MB EEPROM, and 256-MB flash memory.
Their CPU's are an IBM RAD6000, a rad-hard version of the RISC Single Chip for IBM RS/6000 workstations (early 1990's).

RAD6000 chips have been used in numerous spacecraft , so these Mars rovers are not exceptional.
 

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