help

How Much Longer Will We Be Able to Detect Voyager 1?

-- | September 18, 2013

Question: The space probe “Voyager 1” has now left our solar system and is venturing into interstellar space. This in itself is magnificent achievement but for how much longer will Voyager 1 be able to gather data and transmit it back to NASA and for much longer will we be able to track and monitor it? — David

Answer: We know that the Voyager 1 spacecraft is still out there hurtling through space by the signal that the spacecraft transmits back to Earth. By radio signal standards, the Voyager 1 transmission is relatively strong. Our ability to detect the transmission signal from Voyager 1 is dictated by the availability of power on the spacecraft. Voyager 1 is powered by plutonium-based radioisotope thermoelectric generators. These generators will be able to produce the power necessary to run the spacecraft and all the science instruments until 2020. After 2020 NASA will begin to shutdown the science instruments, expecting that the last instrument will be shutdown by 2025. An engineering only mission is possible until 2036.

Jeff Mangum

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
	Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.
	The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."
	AUI collaborates with the scientific community and research sponsors to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public.