Author: Jeff RootJeff Root Date: Aug 10, 2006 19:02
Steve Willner wrote:
> Have you seen any pictures or diagrams of what Pioneer looks
> like from the vantage point of one of the RTGs? That might
> give a hint of where asymmetric radiation pressure could be
> coming from. I realize the experts don't think this is the
> explanation, but it seems hard to rule out.
That's exactly what I think. I'm interested in this mainly
because George is, so I read his posts. If I were more fired
up about the subject I would get some 3-D drawing software,
the dimensions of Pioneer, and the detailed thermal gradients
and reflectivities of all the materials on the spacecraft, to
work out exactly what gets radiated where. The base of the
fins must be hotter than the edges; radiation from any point
goes outward in all directions, with some of it reflected and
some absorbed by an adjacent part; a thermal blanket may have
come loose at launch, putting it in a completely unexpected
location, etc., all makes for a problem too hard for me.
-- Jeff, in Minneapolis
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