NASA Makes Heartbreaking Decision: Shuts Down Voyager 2 Solar Wind Detector After 47 Groundbreaking Years!

In a poignant milestone in space exploration, NASA has officially shut down a pivotal scientific instrument on its Voyager 2 spacecraft after a staggering 47 years of continuous operation. Currently situated approximately 20.9 billion kilometers from Earth—an unimaginably vast distance—Voyager 2 is still sending invaluable data back to its Earthbound team.

On September 26, NASA sent the signal to power down the spacecraft's Plasma Science experiment, a critical instrument responsible for observing and measuring solar winds. This decision was made to conserve energy in a bid to keep the Voyager 2 mission active into the 2030s. The Plasma Science experiment comprised four detectors that meticulously collected information about the ions and electrons emitted by the Sun, helping to expand our understanding of solar phenomena.

NASA has highlighted the importance of the science data gathered by the Voyager probes, stating: “Mission engineers have taken steps to avoid turning off a science instrument for as long as possible because the science data collected by the twin Voyager probes is unique.” Notably, Voyager 2 holds the distinction of being the only human-made spacecraft to have operated in interstellar space—the uncharted territory beyond the protective bubble of the heliosphere.

Launched on August 20, 1977, Voyager 2 has delivered decades of remarkable insights into our universe. Amazingly, it now takes more than 19 hours for a signal to traverse the vast distance to reach the spacecraft, travelling at the speed of light.

Recently, Voyager 2 was spotted in the constellation of Pavo, currently positioned at a Right Ascension of 20h 09m 46s and a Declination of -59° 11′ 14″. However, after leaving the heliosphere in 2018, the plasma detector's performance took a hit. The orientation of Voyager 2 affected its ability to gather data on solar winds, leading to a significant drop in the data collection from three of its four detectors.

Pam Melroy, NASA’s Deputy Administrator, expressed the ongoing commitment to scientific discovery while speaking with Australia in Space TV. “We want to do more science. That’s why we explore the edge of the Solar System. You have to go there to understand it,” she emphasized. The agency continues to value the insights Voyager 2 provides, particularly in areas that are beyond the reach of ground-based observations.

Interestingly, Voyager 1, the twin spacecraft, faced a similar fate—its plasma science instrument ceased operations in 1980, and it was officially powered down in 2007 to conserve energy. Despite these challenges, another Voyager 2 instrument, the plasma wave subsystem, remains active and can estimate plasma density during solar eruptions that send shockwaves through interstellar space.

Both Voyager spacecraft are powered by decaying plutonium, losing about four watts of energy each year. Despite the shutdown of the Plasma Science experiment, NASA remains dedicated to extracting as much scientific value as possible from these remarkable missions, which have significantly advanced our understanding of the cosmos.

As we prepare for the next exciting stages of interstellar exploration and discovery, one thing is clear: the legacy of Voyager 2 will continue to inspire generations to reach for the stars! Keep an eye on the ever-expanding universe as we unlock its deepest secrets!