Why NASA Decided to Shut Down Voyager 1
By BRIGHT SIDE
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Launched back in 1977, Voyager 1 is currently humanity's most distant space probe, traveling through interstellar space over 15 billion miles away from Earth. However, its nuclear power supply is steadily decaying, losing roughly four watts of electrical power every single year. To keep the spacecraft alive for as long as possible, NASA engineers are forced to systematically power down its heaters and scientific instruments one by one. This agonizing process is a careful balancing act between gathering immediate science data and extending the probe's lifespan. While these gradual shutdowns mark the beginning of the end, Voyager 1 will carry its iconic Golden Record silently through the cosmic abyss long after its final system powers off. Animation is created by Bright Side. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Music from TheSoul Sound: https://thesoul-sound.com/ Check our Bright Side podcast on Spotify and leave a positive re
Tags: astronomy facts, brightside, brightsideglobal, cosmic discoveries, curiosities, deep space, earth, edge of solar system, farthest man made object, future of space travel, interstellar mission, interstellar space, mystery, nasa, nasa news, nasa space missions, outer space, planet, rtg power decay, science news
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