this post was submitted on 31 Oct 2024
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[–] roofuskit@lemmy.world 53 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days 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 6 days ago (4 children)

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

[–] BakerBagel@midwest.social 22 points 5 days 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 5 days 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 5 days ago (1 children)

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

[–] Serinus@lemmy.world 5 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days 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 5 days 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 6 days ago

Department of Energy.

[–] Damage@feddit.it 6 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Department of Enthalpy

[–] hohoho@lemmy.world 5 points 6 days ago

Department of Energy

[–] TachyonTele@lemm.ee 3 points 6 days ago (1 children)

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

[–] roofuskit@lemmy.world 4 points 6 days ago

Sorry I put a couple updates in there as well.