In 1977, NASA launched two probes designed to last five years. Voyager 1 and 2 are now the only human-made objects in interstellar space, still operating, still transmitting, funded by a team of engineers some of whom have worked on the mission for nearly
Launched in 1977 for a five-year mission, NASA's Voyager 1 and 2 remain the only human-made objects in interstellar space and are still transmitting data.
Quick answers
How long were the Voyager probes originally designed to last?
The probes were designed to last five years.
What powers Voyager 1?
It is powered by less than 250 watts of decaying plutonium.
How long does it take for Voyager 1's signal to reach Earth?
The signal now takes over 23 hours to reach Earth.
The brief
NASA's Voyager 1 and 2 probes continue to operate and transmit data from interstellar space decades after their 1977 launch. Originally designed to last five years, these probes are now the only human-made objects in this region of space.
Coverage from Space Daily, Make Tech Easier, and 19FortyFive emphasizes the technical challenges of the mission. Voyager 1 is transmitting from over 25 billion kilometers (15 billion miles) away using less than 250 watts of decaying plutonium.
The signal, which takes over 23 hours to reach Earth, is carried by a radio described as no stronger than a refrigerator lightbulb. Attention is now on Voyager 1's trajectory as it moves toward a distance of one light-day from Earth, according to it-online.co.za.
Synthesized by Newsylist from the headlines below under a strict no-invention contract. ✓ fact-checked: all claims supported by sources Updated 44d ago.
Sources (5)
- The engineers who built Voyager knew they would almost certainly be dead before it left the solar system, and they built it anyway, a gift from people who would never see where their work would go ScienceBlog.com · 46d ago
- Voyager 1 is still transmitting from more than 25 billion kilometres away, powered by less than 250 watts of decaying plutonium — a signal that now takes over 23 hours to reach Earth, carried by a radio no stronger than a refrigerator lightbulb Make Tech Easier · 46d ago
- NASA's Voyager 1 Radio Transmitter Is Weaker Than a Refrigerator Lightbulb. It Still Reaches Earth From 15 Billion Miles Away 19FortyFive · 46d ago
- Voyager 1 on track to reach one light-day from Earth it-online.co.za · 46d ago
- In 1977, NASA launched two probes designed to last five years. Voyager 1 and 2 are now the only human-made objects in interstellar space, still operating, still transmitting, funded by a team of engineers some of whom have worked on the mission for nearly Space Daily · 46d ago broke it first
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