posted
I think this is simply wonderful! Still going after 30 years!!
from sci.space.news
quote:From Larry Lasher, Pioneer Project Manager Subject: Pioneer-10 30 Year Launch Anniversary Track
Pioneer-10 was successfully contacted today. Yesterday, about 3pm PST a 200 Kw uplink transmission from Goldstone California, the 70 meter DSN antenna DSS-14, was sent to Pioneer-10 and 22 hours later in Madrid Spain at the DSN 70 meter antenna DSS-63 the confirmation of contact was received. From a distance of 79.7 AU DSS-63 acquired the signal on time at about -183 dbm. They spent an hour peaking the signal (-178.5 dbm) and then they were able to lock up telemetry at 16 bps at an SNR of -0.5 db. Tracking continued until the elevation was about 20 degrees but enough telemetry was received to verify the state of Pioneer-10. Incidentally, the SETI institute also saw the signal from Arecibo in Puerto Rico. For years they have used Pioneer-10 as a reference for their investigations.
The spacecraft is still healthy. The power is still sufficient to support the loads with the bus voltage at about 26 volts (nominal is 28). The uplink from DSS-14 was received by the spacecraft at -131.7 dbm. The spacecraft is extremely cold, with many of the temperature readings at the bottom of their scales. Two commands were sent yesterday from Goldstone and both were confirmed to have been executed by the spacecraft. One scientific instrument is still on, the Geiger Tube Telescope, and Dr. James Van Allen, the PI, will be happy to hear he has some more data to look at.
Thirty years ago the first mission to explore the outer planets, specifically the planet Jupiter, was launched from KSC. Many of the people who designed, built and flew the spacecraft have passed on but Pioneer-10 continues. From ARC and the Pioneer Project we send our thanks to the many people at the DSN (Goldstone and Madrid) and JPL who made it possible to hear the spacecraft signal again.
Dave Lozier, Pioneer Flight Director
Andrew
-------------------- "Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica." - Jim Halpert. (The Office)
posted
It says 79.7 AU out, which if memory serves....one AU is the distance from the Earth to the Sun. (Someone correct me here ) In any case, there must be one heck of a good Tim Horton's out there.
Registered: Mar 1999
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As to where it is now...uh...it's really far in...that direction. Vaguely in the direction of the constellation Taurus, I think.
Registered: Mar 1999
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posted
Yes, an astronomical unit (AU) is the distance from Earth to the sun. Which is about 8 light-minutes. So the thing is 637.8 light-minutes away. That's about 10.6 light-hours. Which makes a 21.3 (using pre-rounding figures) hour round trip. Which explains why they got the signal after 22 hours.
Registered: Mar 1999
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quote:Pioneer 10 is now in galactic orbit, twice as far from Earth as Pluto. It is travelling at 44,063 kilometres an hour relative to the sun and is in line to reach Aldebaran, the red star that forms the eye of the constellation Taurus. But it won't make it there for about two million years.
This is from the Toronto Star article about this. 2 million years to Aldebaran, unless it is used for target practise.
-------------------- "and none of your usual boobery." M. Burns
Registered: Oct 2001
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posted
*looks at that speed, does some calculating, and wonders what a Klingon BoP was doing only four-and-a-quarter light-days from Earth*
Registered: Mar 1999
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Don't you know everything...well most of everything from STV is out of whack. I mean can you explain how the Enterprise got to near the center of the Galaxy in only a few hours or why she has 78 decks going from bottom up, or why some of the deck numbers were repeated, or why she has triangular turboshafts with rounds lift cars, or why many of her doors look like they came from the Ent-D around 80 years in her future. I really wouldn't worry about a Klingon BoP being only 4 and quarter light days from Earth. That's all part of the whacked out part of the movie.
[ March 03, 2002, 22:24: Message edited by: Dat ]
-------------------- Is it Friday yet?
Registered: Feb 2000
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