October 20, 2023 Quick space links
Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.
- According to Pakistani officials, that country is joining China’s Moon base project
This confirms a June statement. China and Pakistan had in 2018 discussed flying a Pakistani astronaut to its space station (though no deal was ever announced). This new deal could make that astronaut flight a reality.
- Engineers are today uploading a software patch to help extend life of both Voyager spacecraft just outside the solar system
After checking to make sure the patch uploaded properly, they will activate it next week. The patch itself will help make fuel use more efficient. It will also prevent the communications issue that caused problems in 2022. Regardless, both spacecraft likely only have a few more years of operation, after which their nuclear power source will run out of power.
Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.
- According to Pakistani officials, that country is joining China’s Moon base project
This confirms a June statement. China and Pakistan had in 2018 discussed flying a Pakistani astronaut to its space station (though no deal was ever announced). This new deal could make that astronaut flight a reality.
- Engineers are today uploading a software patch to help extend life of both Voyager spacecraft just outside the solar system
After checking to make sure the patch uploaded properly, they will activate it next week. The patch itself will help make fuel use more efficient. It will also prevent the communications issue that caused problems in 2022. Regardless, both spacecraft likely only have a few more years of operation, after which their nuclear power source will run out of power.