Long Distance Repairs

JimPooley writes: "The BBC News website has this story which tells how Voyager 1, currently heading for the heliopause, had its backup systems brought online after the primary systems showed signs of failing. They don't build 'em like that any more - more's the pity."

Distance

[aderuwe]

Did anything ever go further than where Voyager 1 is now?

Re:Distance

[ahknight]

Maybe one of those golf balls the moon boys shot into space, but nothing metallic that we've made (hence this being news and not just a curious fact). =)

Re:Distance

[CokeBear]

Those golf balls, if they managed to escape the moon's gravity, would probably have been caught up in the earth's gravity.
If they managed to escape the earths gravity, they still would not have gone very far out, because of the Sun's gravity.
Any real physics people know better? I'm talking out of my ass here

Most distant

[Godeke]

This is the most distant man made object from the Sun. Now as long as it doesn't come back with a nebula around it to kill everyone, I'll be happy.

Re:Most distant

[ahknight]

IIRC, that was Voyager "5" but I share the same sentiment. ;)

Re:Most distant

[isorox]

no, it was voyager 6, launched in 1999

Voyager

[ahknight]

Wow, a ship named Voyager in interstellar space with primary systems failing, running on backups and almost out of touch with Earth.

And this time I care enough to follow the story. Hrm.

Spectacular...

[geoswan]

Are we agreed that the BBC article does not give enough praise to the teams that designed, built and have run Voyager and those other early probes which have exceeded their planned lifetimes and capabilities?

Re:Spectacular...

[ahknight]

Absolutely. No more playing darts with Mars.

Re:WHY ISN"T THIS STORY ON THE FRONT PAGE?

[isorox]

perhaps you should log in, its on my front page