NASA's Voyager Probes Face Power Challenges as They Approach 50th Anniversary
NASA's twin Voyager spacecraft, launched in 1977, are facing significant power challenges as they continue their mission in interstellar space. Originally designed to explore the giant planets, the probes have exceeded their expected lifespans and are now operating with significantly reduced power. Each spacecraft, which initially generated 470 watts of energy, now has access to only a fraction of that power. To extend their operational life, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) plans to implement a maneuver known as the 'Big Bang.' This involves turning off certain devices to save power and potentially delay the shutdown of scientific instruments by at least a year. The maneuver will first be tested on Voyager 2, with plans to apply it to Voyager 1 later. Despite these efforts, the probes lose about four watts of power annually, and their future remains uncertain. 
