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 probes remain the only human-made objects operating in interstellar space.
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The brief
Voyager 1 and 2 continue to operate and transmit data from interstellar space despite being designed for a five-year lifespan. Voyager 1 is currently transmitting from more than 25 billion kilometers (15 billion miles) away, with the probe on track to reach one light-day from Earth.
Coverage from Space Daily, Make Tech Easier, and 19FortyFive emphasizes the technical constraints of the mission. Voyager 1 is powered by less than 250 watts of decaying plutonium, and its radio transmitter is described as being no stronger than a refrigerator lightbulb.
ScienceBlog.com highlights the legacy of the original engineers who built the probes knowing they would likely not see their work leave the solar system. Future focus remains on the signal transmission, which currently takes over 23 hours to reach Earth, and the probe's progress toward the one light-day milestone.
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Quick answers
When were the Voyager probes launched?
NASA launched the probes in 1977.
How is Voyager 1 powered?
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.
Coverage (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 · 1d 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 · 1d ago
- NASA's Voyager 1 Radio Transmitter Is Weaker Than a Refrigerator Lightbulb. It Still Reaches Earth From 15 Billion Miles Away 19FortyFive · 1d ago
- Voyager 1 on track to reach one light-day from Earth it-online.co.za · 1d 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 · 1d ago
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