Friday, July 11, 2014

Recently revived ISEE-3 probe can’t fire engines, can’t change orbit

Ars reports Recently revived ISEE-3 probe can’t fire engines, can’t change orbit "Not every space story can have a Hollywood ending, and unfortunately it’s looking like the situation with the newly resurrected ISEE-3 space probe is going to have a bittersweet conclusion. The International Sun-Earth Explorer 3 satellite has been dormant since 1998, but a crowdfunded group of 'citizen scientists' were given permission by NASA to assume control of the spacecraft and see about bringing it into a closer orbit. The group, called the ISEE-3 Reboot Project, has been posting periodic updates on its blog, but the latest news isn’t good at all—ISEE-3’s thrusters aren’t operating as expected."

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