Voyager 1 down to two science instruments as NASA tests power fix on twin

Aging probes, new tricks

NASA's Voyager 1, the most distant human-made object, is now running on just two science instruments. The probe, launched in 1977, has been shedding capabilities as its power supply dwindles.

Engineers are now testing a fix on Voyager 1 that recently bought its twin, Voyager 2, another year of operation. But NASA says Voyager 1 no longer behaves quite like its sibling, making the procedure trickier.

How Voyager 2 got a lifeline

The so-called 'Big Bang' maneuver, a risky power-saving technique, was applied to Voyager 2 earlier this year. It involved tapping into a reserve of power that was previously earmarked for a safety mechanism.

By reallocating that energy, engineers gave Voyager 2 enough juice to keep all five of its remaining science instruments running through at least 2026. That extension is crucial for studying the heliopause, the boundary where the Sun's influence ends and interstellar space begins.

Voyager 1's different behavior

Now the same fix is being tried on Voyager 1, but the probe has thrown a curveball. NASA officials say Voyager 1's power system has degraded in ways that make it less predictable than its twin.

One key difference: Voyager 1 has only two science instruments still functioning, down from five. The others have been switched off over the years due to power constraints or malfunctions.

Engineers are proceeding cautiously, running simulations and testing the maneuver in stages to avoid any sudden loss of power.

Why it matters

Both probes are over 46 years old, far exceeding their original design life. Every extra month of data from the edge of the solar system is a bonus, but the margin for error is razor-thin.

The two spacecraft are the only instruments sampling interstellar space directly. Their measurements of cosmic rays, magnetic fields, and plasma have rewritten textbooks on the heliosphere.

What happens next

NASA has not yet confirmed whether the fix will work on Voyager 1. The agency says it will monitor the probe's response over the coming weeks before deciding on further steps.

If successful, Voyager 1 could continue sending science data into the late 2020s. If not, it may be forced to shut down its remaining instruments sooner than planned.

For now, the team is taking it one step at a time, aware that every command sent to these distant explorers takes over 20 hours to reach them.