The ancient technology keeping space missions alive

 


Some of the most famous space missions, including the two Voyager probes, have been exploring our Solar System for decades. The technology helping to keep them aloft, however, is not what you'd expect.

It took more than 10 years to design and build Europe's four identical Cluster satellites for launch; and just 39 seconds to lose them all in an enormous fireball.


Their remains rained down over the South American jungle as the Ariane 5 rocket veered off course and exploded. VIPs who had been sipping champagne on the outdoor viewing gallery moments earlier were ushered back inside to avoid being injured by the falling debris.


The disaster was one of the European Space Agency's (Esa) most visible and spectacular failures. But within months, work had begun on a replacement mission, Cluster II.

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