to analyze from a distance. And for
instruments measure things in the
immediate vicinity of the spacecraft
charges, and densities of atomic particles,
along with the composition and quantity
of dust particles, and the strength of
electrically charged gas (Plasma).
The spacecraft’s instruments, propulsion
system, maneuvering systems, and
communication equipment all require
power to operate. Providing the power
are three Radioisotope Thermoelectric
Generators, also referred to as RTGs. The
RTGs generate 885 watts of power. As a
comparison, the laptop I am writing this
article on has a 126 watt power supply,
and a 42” LCD Television uses about 120
watts of electricity.
Solar panels were not an option as
due to the amount of power required
to operate the spacecraft and it’s
instruments. Using the most advanced
solar panels available at that time, that
could have met the power requirements,
would have required them to be so large
it would have made the spacecraft too
heavy to launch.
Cassini is still in operation today, having
complet VB