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Space Exploration

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    $\begingroup$ Look at the solar array figure in the Wind senior review report at: wind.nasa.gov. The spacecraft stopped going through the magnetosphere in mid-2004, which is where you can see the slope change on the solar array current output vs time. $\endgroup$
    – honeste_vivere
    Commented Sep 2, 2021 at 15:34
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    $\begingroup$ This is still a relevant question though I wouldn't quite phrase it as "degrade the solar panels excessively". The big picture is that it is a trade-off of extra solar panel margin (and other components qualification), longer journey time against the lower propellant mass, enabling a heavier payload. What we see in practice today is people choosing differently according to their priorities. $\endgroup$
    – Puffin
    Commented Jul 3 at 18:17