Pioneer 10 Still Running After 30 years

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."

Comments

VGER

[perreira]

As we all know, Voyager will still work in 200 years, when Kirk has to rescue Earth from it returning... ;)

The secret of its success ..

[Derwen]

is self delusion

Pioneer 10 is still functioning 30 years after it was launched in 1972,

Due to Y2K issues it thinks it's still 1972, so it's way too young to burn out and die ;-)

Big Deal

[jvl001]

I'm still running after I was launched in 1972.

Not suprised

[af_robot]

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...

Even numbered releases always were the stable ones.

Re:Of course they won't

[mosch]

You not only know how much you paid for a watch you bought in 1986, but you also wear a digital watch all the time? Go take a shower, go out and get laid. It's clear that your wife isn't doing it right.

Re:Milk Cartons?

[AJWM]

And underneath the picture, the words:
"Missing. Have you seen this spacecraft?"