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Pioneer 10 Still Running After 30 years

Posted by michael on from the overdue-for-tuneup-and-brake-job dept.

evilempireinc writes "According to this article in Scientific American, Pioneer 10 is still functioning 30 years after it was launched in 1972, and is still sending back scientific data. The article mentions that two other old space craft, Voyager, and IMP-8 are still functioning after over 20 years as well due to overbuilt construction and redundant systems. Can't help but wonder if the present generation of "faster, better, cheaper" probes will ever live this long though."

2 of 299 comments (clear)

  1. Nuclear Batteries? by emil · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    I assume that the longevity of the instrument is much reduced when it is forced to rely upon solar power rather than nuclear batteries. This is a necessary evil, as it is just too dangerous to send this material into orbit with NASA's safety record.

    Why am I glad that the Challenger blew up? Why should YOU be? Because the NEXT planned shuttle mission was going to carry LOTS of nuclear material.

    1. Re:Nuclear Batteries? by gol64738 · · Score: 1, Flamebait

      someone please mod this moron down. if you're glad that the challenger blew up, then you are a sick fuck.