eugene@ames.UUCP (Eugene Miya) (04/01/85)
> Can someone on the net tell us something about Voyager's health?
I am surprised no one from jpl-vlsi answered this one. I just spoke to old
friends on the project[just for the Net]. They describe Voyager as creaking
along. The major damage [which is difficult to access, by the way] is due
to radiation. They are not certain of the degree, and this is a major problem.
Part has to do with the electronics [avionics?], computer memories, the optics
on some instruments have some damage [lenses are somewhat tinted (but you
won't notice this on images), etc.].
There were communications problems early in the mission, but the initial note
covered this. Several other systems are working on backup mode, etc.
On Space suits, a different posting. We have a couple here. The typical
suit here has about 20 layers of fabric each for different purposes: thermal,
chemical reactivity (teflon in this case), pressure, etc. They are thinking
about more advanced suits [not here] but the newer generation of non-custom
suits has to get more flying time before new designs get considered and
bugs get shaken out of the current designs.
Personal note: my casts are off and replaced with braces on my arm and leg.
--eugene miya
NASA Ames Research Center
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emiya@ames-vmsb.ARPA