Aging Voyager 2 to Keep Science Instruments Operating Longer in Interstellar Space

After more than 45 years in space, Voyager 2 has surpassed expectations by continuing to operate outside the heliosphere and explore interstellar space. To keep Voyager 2’s science instruments operating for a few more years, engineers have devised a new plan that utilises a small reservoir of backup power set aside as part of an onboard safety mechanism. This will enable the mission to postpone shutting down a science instrument until 2026, rather than this year, thereby facilitating more discoveries in interstellar space.

Voyager 2, launched by NASA in 1977, is located over 12 billion miles (20 billion kilometres) from Earth and is the only spacecraft ever to operate outside the heliosphere. The spacecraft has five science instruments that study interstellar space by converting heat from decaying plutonium into electricity through radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs). However, the declining power supply in the generators requires the spacecraft’s onsite engineers to turn off non-essential heaters and systems to keep the spacecraft flying.

Enabling a Lengthier Mission

As the loss of power intensifies, switching off science instruments appears to be the next option. But the engineering team has now decided to use the backup power, which had been reserved for an emergency, to facilitate the continuation of using the remaining four science instruments until the power supply declines further, requiring the shutdown of another instrument. If Voyager 2 remains healthy, the mission could potentially continue for years to come.

The Reward and the Low Risk

The reasoning behind taking this approach is that the science data that the Voyager probes are returning are becoming more valuable with distance from the Sun. The engineering team has concluded that fluctuation in voltage poses a low risk to the instruments on board, and the possibility of keeping the science instruments switched on is a big reward.

The Voyager team has been monitoring the spacecraft for a few weeks, and it appears that this new approach is successful in keeping the science instruments functioning for more years. If it works well for Voyager 2, the team may apply the same approach to Voyager 1.

The Voyager Mission

The Voyager missions began in 1977 as part of NASA’s Heliophysics System Observatory, sponsored by the Heliophysics Division of the Science Mission Directorate in Washington. Built and operated by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a division of Caltech in Pasadena, Voyager 2 was meant to last four years, visiting only Saturn and Jupiter. However, due to the mission’s success and advancement in technology, Voyager 2 got to visit Uranus and Neptune and is still in operation today.

The Voyager missions are answering questions about the shape of the heliosphere and its role in protecting Earth from the energetic particles and other radiation found in the interstellar environment. As Voyager 2 and its twin Voyager 1 continue their journey to interstellar space, they remain essential in advancing the field of interstellar research.

FAQs

What is Voyager 2?

Voyager 2 is a spacecraft built and operated by NASA. Launched in 1977, it has travelled more than 12 billion miles (20 billion kilometres) from Earth and is the only spacecraft to have operated outside the heliosphere.

What are the science instruments on Voyager 2?

Voyager 2 features five science instruments that studies interstellar space and converts heat from decaying plutonium into electricity using RTGs. The instruments are the Ultraviolet Spectrometer, Plasma Wave System, Cosmic Ray Subsystem, Magnetometer, and the Low-Energy Charged Particle Instrument.

What power source does Voyager 2 use?

Voyager 2 uses radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) to power its scientific and engineering instruments. RTGs convert heat from the natural decay of plutonium into electricity that powers the spacecraft.

What is the Voyager mission?

The Voyager mission began in 1977 and was meant to last four years, sending both probes past Saturn and Jupiter. However, NASA extended the mission to visit Uranus and Neptune, and ultimately to enter interstellar space. The Voyager missions are answering questions about the shape of the heliosphere and its role in protecting Earth from the energetic particles and other radiation found in the interstellar environment.