47-year-old Voyager 1 fired up thrusters it hasn't used in decades

Re:47-year-old Voyager 1 fired up thrusters it hasn't used i... by ucyo on Tuesday September 17, 2024 @07:02AM (#41566388)

Does anyone know what the reference points are for the rotation manoeuvres? The text does not provide any information on how the probe knows that it is off. It needs some kind of reference, no?

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Re:47-year-old Voyager 1 fired up thrusters it hasn't used i... by perihelions on Tuesday September 17, 2024 @07:18AM (#41566477)

A star tracker is one of its reference points (of absolute orientation). There's also a sun sensor with a similar function. I don't know if Voyagers have others.

- "In flight, the device found and locked on to the star Canopus, providing a reference for guidance and navigation."

https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/star-tracker-a... ("Star Tracker and Hood Assembly Support Equipment, Voyager Spacecraft")

https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/sun-sensor-and... ("Sun Sensor and Hood Assembly Support Equipment, Voyager Spacecraft")

edit: In more detail,

https://space.stackexchange.com/questions/43803/how-did-the-...

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