NASA Extends Voyager Mission by Turning Off Science Instruments

NASA has decided to extend the Voyager mission by turning off two of the spacecraft’s science instruments. Engineers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory turned off the cosmic ray subsystem on Voyager 1 in February and will deactivate Voyager 2’s low-energy charged particle instrument in March. This move aims to conserve energy as the power supply of the Voyagers diminishes gradually.

Launched in 1977, Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 are powered by a radioisotope system that loses about 4 watts of power annually. To prolong the mission, NASA made the strategic decision to power down certain instruments after the spacecraft completed their exploration of the solar system’s gas giants. The remaining instruments focus on studying the heliosphere, the protective bubble around the Sun, and interstellar space beyond it. Voyager 1 entered interstellar space in 2012, followed by Voyager 2 in 2018, marking a historic achievement as the first human-made spacecraft to operate in this realm.

The recent shutdown of Voyager 1’s cosmic ray subsystem, which studies cosmic rays such as protons, and the upcoming deactivation of Voyager 2’s low-energy charged particle instrument are part of NASA’s effort to ensure the Voyagers continue their groundbreaking journey. Despite the power constraints, the spacecraft will still be able to operate with at least one science instrument until the 2030s, provided no unforeseen challenges arise.

Voyager 1 will maintain its magnetometer and plasma wave subsystem, while its low-energy charged particle instrument will operate until next year. Voyager 2 will continue using its magnetic field and plasma wave instruments, with plans to deactivate its cosmic ray subsystem in 2026. These power management strategies are crucial as the Voyagers, located over 13 and 15 billion miles away from Earth respectively, transmit data back with significant time delays due to their extreme distance.

The Voyagers’ enduring mission exemplifies NASA’s commitment to exploring uncharted territories and pushing the boundaries of human knowledge. The space agency remains dedicated to maximizing the scientific value of these iconic spacecraft as they venture into the depths of interstellar space. For more information on NASA’s Voyager missions, visit the official NASA website.