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I was just wondering why they would want to have a probe that can still run its comms equipment but can't return anything of scientific interest anymore because
by rob74 6y ago
I was just wondering why they would want to have a probe that can still run its comms equipment but can't return anything of scientific interest anymore because its instruments are no longer working... but then I realized that a nuclear power source is not like an ordinary battery - you can't use up more power now (e.g. to run the scientific instruments longer) and have less available later, you have a steadily declining "power budget" which would simply be wasted if not used?
- detritus 6y agoPresumably the mere fact it can communicate and thus have its position and/or speed derived is itself of value.
- greenyoda 6y agoIt may also be valuable to have a way of testing how sensitive their earth-based receiving equipment is.
- Klathmon 6y agoNot just testing but I'm sure a "known" signal coming from outside the solar system would be invaluable for developing and tuning deep space network systems.
- ISL 6y agoCorrect. The ability to determine distance and velocity allows the trajectory and dynamics of the instrument to be computed with high precision. To see one application of this information, look for discussions of the "Pioneer Anomaly". That particular effect is now understood, but had it held up to detailed systematic-effect analysis, it would have affected our understanding of gravitation on solar-system scales. When one enters entirely new territory, the understanding derived from single reliable measurements can be quite substantial.
- fhars 6y agoThat, and letting one instrument run and shutting down communication would probably be even less useful.
- gilrain 6y agoA check-in from a man-made object further out from Earth than ever achieved before is of scientific interest in itself.