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This thread is a general discussion about the Voyager 1 and 2 space probes launched in 1977. These old timers were designed to last around 4 - 5 years as they explored the planets, but have ended up lasting around 46 years and counting due to quality engineering and the dedicated people at mission control - an absolutely amazing achievement!
First, a good news story about contact with Voyager 2 being restored after almost two weeks of radio silience:
Second, how the probes keep going for such a long time. Unfortunately, they've only got roughly another 2 - 3 years left as their plutonium power supplies (yes, they're nuclear powered) will run out then. NASA, you shoulda sent them out with a bigger battery!![Stick out tongue :p :p](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
What amazes me is how the signal strength is still enough to communicate both ways across 15 billion miles amid all the radio interference from stars. That's astounding.
![Voyager 1.jpg Voyager 1.jpg](https://nerdzone.uk/data/attachments/1/1457-c037ef572c7c3fd9fc933da315d0cac8.jpg)
First, a good news story about contact with Voyager 2 being restored after almost two weeks of radio silience:
![www.bbc.co.uk](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fichef.bbci.co.uk%2Fnews%2F1024%2Fbranded_news%2F141E6%2Fproduction%2F_130660428_1977_august_september_voyager1_1.jpg&hash=f8f583fe16d0ce1aa636c4678abc4b4c&return_error=1)
Voyager 2: Nasa fully back in contact with lost space probe
Voyager 2 has restored its communication with Earth months earlier than expected.
www.bbc.co.uk
Second, how the probes keep going for such a long time. Unfortunately, they've only got roughly another 2 - 3 years left as their plutonium power supplies (yes, they're nuclear powered) will run out then. NASA, you shoulda sent them out with a bigger battery!
What amazes me is how the signal strength is still enough to communicate both ways across 15 billion miles amid all the radio interference from stars. That's astounding.
![Voyager 1.jpg Voyager 1.jpg](https://nerdzone.uk/data/attachments/1/1457-c037ef572c7c3fd9fc933da315d0cac8.jpg)