

The Never Ending Voyager Missions
Sep 12, 2025
In 1977, NASA launched the Voyager probes, designed to explore the outer solar system. These spacecraft have far exceeded their initial mission, delivering groundbreaking images and data about planets like Jupiter and Saturn. Powering these aging probes with plutonium-238, they face ongoing communication challenges across vast distances. Engineers still work to adapt their systems to continue receiving invaluable scientific insights. As their power fades, the legacy of these remarkable voyages continues to reshape our understanding of space.
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How Voyagers Stay Powered
- The Voyagers use radioisotope thermoelectric generators with plutonium-238 to produce long-lasting power.
- RTG output decays ~4 watts per year, forcing NASA to shut nonessential systems to conserve energy.
Prioritize Instruments To Extend Missions
- Conserve finite spacecraft power by prioritizing essential instruments and heaters.
- Turn off noncritical systems progressively to extend mission life and preserve communications.
Communicating Across Interstellar Distances
- Communicating across billions of miles requires massive antennas and extreme signal efficiency.
- The Deep Space Network decodes attowatt-level signals from Voyagers and compensates by lowering data rates.