this post was submitted on 31 Oct 2024
428 points (99.8% liked)

Space

8797 readers
63 users here now

Share & discuss informative content on: Astrophysics, Cosmology, Space Exploration, Planetary Science and Astrobiology.


Rules

  1. Be respectful and inclusive.
  2. No harassment, hate speech, or trolling.
  3. Engage in constructive discussions.
  4. Share relevant content.
  5. Follow guidelines and moderators' instructions.
  6. Use appropriate language and tone.
  7. Report violations.
  8. Foster a continuous learning environment.

Picture of the Day

The Busy Center of the Lagoon Nebula


Related Communities

πŸ”­ Science

πŸš€ Engineering

🌌 Art and Photography


Other Cool Links

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] roofuskit@lemmy.world 55 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (2 children)

They're already out there. Just don't get as much news as Voyager. Unfortunately I don't think any will be capable of lasting as long since we stopped using the radio isotope generators. New horizons is currently in the Kupier belt. It's the 5th such probe to reach escape velocity from our solar system. Pioneer 10 and 11 were the other non-voyager probes.

Edit: I was incorrect, new horizons does use an RTG for power. But right now its mission is slated to end in 2029. I wonder if it will be kept alive like the Voyager probes.

Edit 2: yeah, the RTG is slated to run out of power to run the transmitters in the 2030s. It was originally designed to be more powerful but the DOE delayed delivery of the plutonium 238 required.

[–] XeroxCool@lemmy.world 7 points 1 month ago (4 children)

Dept of Education? D O Emissions? Can't figure it out even with some searching

[–] BakerBagel@midwest.social 22 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Department of Energy. The main role is to handle the radioactive materials that the government creates and uses

[–] Serinus@lemmy.world 6 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Also one of the three departments Rick Perry (R-Texas) couldn't remember that he wanted to eliminate.

[–] Treczoks@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

"See? If there is no government agency handlin' radioactive waste, that problem goes away!"

[–] Serinus@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

He did change his tune after he became Secretary of Energy.

Also, May 15, 2023 β€” Former Energy Secretary Rick Perry would not support former President Donald Trump in his reelection campaign when asked on Sunday,

[–] Treczoks@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago

Something like rats and sinking ships come to mind. Now that Trump shows his true fashist colors, some REPs don't want to end up as Trumps Himmler or GΓΆring...

[–] MossyFeathers@pawb.social 15 points 1 month ago

Department of Energy.

[–] Damage@feddit.it 6 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Department of Enthalpy

[–] hohoho@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago

Department of Energy

[–] TachyonTele@lemm.ee 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Cool. Thank you for the info. I'll have to look them up.

[–] roofuskit@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago

Sorry I put a couple updates in there as well.