Science

NASA to Pull the Plug on Voyager's Social Media Accounts, But Why?

2025-06-11

Author: Lok

In a surprising move, NASA is slated to shut down several of its social media accounts, including the popular ones dedicated to the legendary Voyager mission and the Mars Curiosity and Perseverance rovers. These accounts are set to wind down this week, with posts announcing their impending archiving.

Affected accounts like @NASAVoyager will post messages such as: "Important Update: As part of @NASA's effort to streamline communications, this account will be archived in the coming weeks." But don't panic! The Voyager mission itself remains active—this is all about trimming the agency's digital presence.

Streamlining or Silencing?

While many accounts, such as @NASA_SLS and @NASA_Orion, may be consolidated for logical reasons, the decision to mothball Voyager and the Mars rovers raises eyebrows. After all, the current US administration is contemplating canceling NASA's Space Launch System (SLS), yet both Voyager and the rovers will continue their groundbreaking missions undeterred.

Interestingly, the @MarsCuriosity account boasts around four million followers—far surpassing the 1.5 million following @NASAMars! So why cut back on such beloved accounts?

Improving Our Space Legacy?

NASA has defended this move as part of an effort to enhance the experience for its followers. A spokesperson told The Register, "The agency continues to take steps to strengthen and streamline NASA's digital presence through an ongoing social media consolidation effort. With more than 300 agency accounts across 15 platforms, we have an opportunity to better focus our messaging and connect more clearly with the public."

They insist this initiative will help them share NASA's story more effectively by reducing the noise and enhancing clarity in messaging. But some critics wonder if this consolidation is merely a prelude to cuts, especially when it comes to missions that have captivated the public imagination.

What Does 'Archived' Really Mean?

The short answer: no more posts, and the accounts will eventually disappear. A NASA spokesperson confirmed, "As part of this process, we're working to ensure compliance with record retention requirements." Leading up to the final archive, affected accounts like @NASAVoyager will share their greatest hits—likely nostalgic snippets from their groundbreaking journeys.

Looking Towards the Future

As NASA faces challenges in capturing the public’s attention and demonstrating its relevance, the decision to silence accounts that have fascinated audiences worldwide feels like a step backward. Can consolidating social accounts really improve outreach, or is it a misstep? Only time will tell.

In a world where space exploration continues to inspire awe, the question remains: will the absence of these storied social media accounts diminish the public’s connection to these iconic missions?