NASA Powers Down Voyager Instruments: How This Bold Move Could Extend the Life of Our Interstellar Pioneers

NASA is making sure that Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 continue their journey through space by turning off two of their instruments. This decision aims to save energy and prolong their exploration beyond the solar system.

On February 25, engineers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) deactivated Voyager 1’s cosmic ray subsystem. A similar shutdown is set for Voyager 2’s low-energy charged particle instrument on March 24. These spacecraft, launched in 1977, are now in interstellar space, traveling an astounding 29 billion miles combined.

As they travel farther, their power supply is dwindling. Each Voyager generates electricity through the decay of plutonium, which loses about 4 watts of power each year. In the 1980s, NASA turned off several instruments after the Voyagers completed their missions studying the giant planets in our solar system. This helped to extend their operational life.

In October 2024, Voyager 2’s plasma science experiment was powered down since it was gathering limited data. Voyager 1’s plasma science instrument encountered issues back in 1980 and was turned off in 2007 to conserve energy.

The most recent shutdown was the cosmic ray subsystem on Voyager 1. This subsystem helped scientists confirm that Voyager 1 had left the heliosphere, the sun’s magnetic influence. Next, the low-energy charged particle instrument on Voyager 2 will cease operations. This instrument measures various particles, including ions and cosmic rays, originating from both the solar system and our galaxy.

Voyager project scientist Patrick Koehn highlighted that the spacecraft have exceeded their initial mission goals, which focused on the outer planets. Every bit of science collected is invaluable and speaks to the robust engineering that has upheld these spacecraft for nearly 50 years.

Supporting the world’s only interstellar spacecraft means every decision, like shutting down an instrument, is vital. The shutdowns may allow both Voyagers to explore for another year before more instruments need to be turned off. Currently, each craft has three functional instruments, and this number may drop to two in 2026, with hopes of having at least one operational into the 2030s.

Linda Spilker, a project scientist, stated, “The Voyagers explore a region where no other spacecraft has ventured.” This means they face uncertainties, but each day might offer new interstellar discoveries. NASA is committed to maximizing the missions of Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 as they continue their pioneering paths through the cosmos.

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