NASA Powers Down Voyager 1 Instrument to Extend Mission Lifespan
NASA has decided to power down the Low-energy Charged Particles experiment on Voyager 1, the farthest spacecraft from Earth, in an effort to conserve power and extend the mission's lifespan. This instrument, which measures the structure of space between stars, was also turned off on Voyager 1's twin, Voyager 2, in March 2025. Launched in 1977, both Voyager probes have exceeded their expected five-year lifespans, continuing to send back data from beyond the heliosphere. The decision to shut down the instrument is part of a strategy to manage the spacecraft's limited power supply, which decreases by about 4 watts per year. Despite the shutdown, Voyager 1 still has two operational science instruments that continue to provide valuable data from interstellar space.