Guide to Space - What Do We Do With Aging Spacecraft?

<p><a href= "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWg3Jby9lBA">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWg3Jby9lBA</a></p> <p><strong>From Jan 3, 2018.</strong></p> <p>We try to avoid thinking about it, but spacecraft are machines that break down and eventually fail. Some can last for years, others decades, but in the end they’ll be gone forever.<span class= "Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p> </p> <p>Space agencies do consider how these missions will end, and put plans in place to wrap them up when the time comes. But sometimes they have no choice, and dead spacecraft return to Earth with no way of controlling when and where it’s going to happen.</p> <p> </p> <p>We've added a new way to donate to 365 Days of Astronomy to support editing, hosting, and production costs.<span class= "Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p>Just visit: <a href= "https://www.patreon.com/365DaysOfAstronomy">https://www.patreon.com/365DaysOfAstronomy</a> and donate as much as you can!</p> <p>Share the podcast with your friends and send the Patreon link to them too!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p>Every bit helps! Thank you!</p> <p>------------------------------------</p> <p>Do go visit <a href= "http://www.redbubble.com/people/CosmoQuestX/shop">http://www.redbubble.com/people/CosmoQuestX/shop</a> for cool Astronomy Cast and CosmoQuest t-shirts, coffee mugs and other awesomeness!</p> <p><a href= "http://cosmoquest.org/Donate">http://cosmoquest.org/Donate</a> This show is made possible through your donations.<span class= "Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p>Thank you! (Haven't donated? It's not too late! Just <a href= "http://cosmoquest.org/Donate">click</a>!)</p> <p>------------------------------------</p> <p>The 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast is produced by the Planetary Science Institute. <a href= "http://www.psi.edu">http://www.psi.edu</a></p> <p>Visit us on the web at <a href= "http://365DaysOfAstronomy.org/">365DaysOfAstronomy.org</a> or email us at <a href= "mailto:info@365DaysOfAstronomy.org">info@365DaysOfAstronomy.o