3 ms·
>reorientation is an expensive process That’s true, but a failsafe automatic reorientation mode after two weeks with no communication from Earth might be a use
by curiousObject 3y ago
>reorientation is an expensive process
That’s true, but a failsafe automatic reorientation mode after two weeks with no communication from Earth might be a useful feature
- jjk166 3y agoOn the timescale of decades, does a 2 week vs a 10 week waiting period make much of a difference?
- curiousObject 3y ago>On the timescale of decades, does a 2 week vs a 10 week waiting period make much of a difference? I agree. It probably doesn’t make much difference now. There are very unlikely to be any important data that will be lost. The mitigation process they already implemented seems prudent and sufficient During earlier parts of the mission, like planetary encounters, it would make a difference. Even a two week wait could be much too long in those circumstances.
- jjk166 3y agoPresumably during encounters the probe was in a different control scheme to keep its instruments pointed at the planet, as opposed to keeping its antenna pointed at Earth.