NASA Tests 10-Watt Voyager 2 Fix to Extend Mission 1 Year
Updated
Updated · en.clickpetroleoegas.com.br · May 12
NASA Tests 10-Watt Voyager 2 Fix to Extend Mission 1 Year
4 articles · Updated · en.clickpetroleoegas.com.br · May 12
May-June 2026 tests on Voyager 2 will try a "Big Bang" power-saving change that NASA says could delay further science shutdowns by at least one year.
The maneuver would replace three heaters that keep fuel lines from freezing with alternative systems using about 10 watts less—critical on probes now running near minimum power.
Each spacecraft has fallen from about 470 watts at launch to roughly 230 watts, while the transmitter alone uses about 200 watts, forcing NASA to shut instruments on Voyager 1 in February and April 2025.
Voyager 1 is about 169.8 AU from Earth and Voyager 2 about 143.1 AU away, so commands can take nearly 24 hours to arrive, making any mistake hard to correct.
NASA still hopes both probes reach their 50th anniversary in 2027, preserving rare interstellar data after Voyager 1 crossed the heliopause in 2012 and Voyager 2 in 2018.
Could NASA's high-stakes maneuver accidentally silence its 50-year-old Voyager probes forever?
With Voyager's nuclear batteries failing, what will power the next generation of interstellar explorers?
Is the unique data from the dying Voyager probes still worth a high-risk interstellar repair?
The Voyager Power Crisis: NASA’s "Big Bang" Maneuver and the Battle to Keep Humanity’s Most Distant Spacecraft Alive
Overview
NASA is preparing the 'Big Bang' maneuver to address the critical power challenges faced by Voyager 1 and Voyager 2. Over time, the spacecraft have had to shut down or partially shut down various instruments to conserve energy as their power supplies decline. The 'Big Bang' maneuver is designed to provide a vital power boost and extend the operational lives of both Voyagers. Initial testing will focus on Voyager 2 in May and June 2026, a crucial period to validate the maneuver’s effectiveness before possibly applying it to Voyager 1. This effort aims to keep these historic missions exploring interstellar space for as long as possible.