A Prosaic Explanation for the Anomalous Accelerations Seen in Distant Spacecraft

TL;DR

This paper proposes that the observed anomalous accelerations of distant spacecraft can be explained by non-isotropic radiative cooling of spacecraft electronics, rather than new physics.

Contribution

It introduces a plausible, non-physical explanation for the spacecraft acceleration anomaly based on spacecraft design and thermal radiation effects.

Findings

Radiative cooling can account for the observed acceleration within errors.

Spacecraft radiator placement influences thermal recoil forces.

The explanation aligns with existing spacecraft thermal models.

Abstract

Anderson, et al. (gr-qc/9808081) have recently reported the discovery of an apparent anomalous, weak, long-range acceleration in the Pioneer 10/11 and Ulysses spacecraft. I believe that this result can be explained by non-isotropic radiative cooling of the spacecraft electronics through passive radiators on the spacecraft surface. These radiators are preferentially placed on the anti-solar side of the spacecraft to avoid heating by solar radiation. The power transmitted through these radiator panels can explain the observed acceleration within the observational errors.