A great Space Observatory goes dark. This week on planetary radio. Welcome, I'm at Kaplan of the Planetary Planetary Society, with more of the human adventure across our solar

system and beyond.

After 16 years of spectacular infrared astronomy and astounding discoveries, the Spitzer Space Telescope has been decommissioned.

Three leaders of that groundbreaking mission will join us to examine its rich and continuing legacy of science.

First, the Expance.

Now, Star Trek Picard.

Good times for TV Science Fiction.

We'll talk with Emily Lochuala about the breathtaking

depiction of Mars in Picard and though it may be a close shave we'll save time

for what's up with Bruce Bats. The latest edition of the Downlink

has been posted by Planetary Society editorial director Jason Davis. Here are

highlights from that skillfully curated digest of space exploration news.

NASA's stalwart Voyager 2 spacecraft automatically and safely switched off its science

instruments after overdrawing its available power.

The spacecraft, which launched almost 43 years ago on its grand tour of the outer planets,

is currently exploring

interstellar space. Its radioactive power supply fades by about 4 watts each

year. Engineers expected to return to normal operations soon.

The International Space Station is getting a new privately operated module as part of

NASA's plan to open up the station for commercial opportunities,

Axiom Space plans to launch the module in 2024

and connect it to the station's forwardmost port.

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