{
  "id": 299264,
  "title": "NASA figured out how to keep its Voyager 2 probe running for another year",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/nasa-figured-out-how-to-keep-its-voyager-2-probe-running-for-another",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-08T01:49:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hacker News Best",
    "slug": "hacker-news-best",
    "url": "https://www.space.com/space-exploration/voyager/nasa-figured-out-how-to-keep-its-48-year-old-voyager-2-probe-running-for-yet-another-year"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "NASA has implemented a power-saving maneuver, nicknamed the \"Big Bang,\" to extend the life of the Voyager 2 spacecraft. According to Space.com, the spacecraft, launched in 1977, relies on a radioisotope thermoelectric generator that uses the heat produced by the decay of plutonium, but the supply of plutonium drops at about four watts a year. To conserve energy, engineers turned off non-science devices and used lower-power alternatives to keep the spacecraft warm in the frigid environment of interstellar space.\n\nThe power margins on Voyager 2 had grown \"razor thin,\" requiring the team to shut off non-essential devices and systems, as stated by NASA officials. As a result, some science instruments were turned off due to power requirements, with each spacecraft initially launching with 10 instruments and having turned off two since 2024 alone, as reported by Space.com. The Big Bang procedure involves selectively shutting off high-power instruments while switching on lower-power alternatives.\n\nThe successful power transfer, as reported by Live Science, should provide enough power to keep Voyager 2's three instruments operating for at least an extra year. The maneuver was tested on Voyager 2 in May and June, and the results were shared in a NASA statement released on August 4.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Live Science",
        "title": "NASA grants Voyager 2 probe another year of power with risky 'Big Bang' maneuver. Now, will it work for Voyager 1?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/nasa-grants-voyager-2-probe-another-year-of-power-with-risky-big-bang",
        "published": "2026-08-07T10:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Scientific American",
        "title": "NASA’s Voyager 2 survives daring ‘big bang’ maneuver",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/nasas-voyager-2-survives-daring-big-bang-maneuver",
        "published": "2026-08-07T12:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hill",
        "title": "Scientists extend instrument life on Voyager 2 probe",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/scientists-extend-instrument-life-on-voyager-2-probe",
        "published": "2026-08-07T18:47:28.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Space.com",
        "title": "NASA figured out how to keep its 48-year-old Voyager 2 probe running for yet another year",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/nasa-figured-out-how-to-keep-its-48-year-old-voyager-2-probe-running",
        "published": "2026-08-07T19:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Slashdot",
        "title": "NASA Figured Out How To Keep Its 48-Year-Old Voyager 2 Probe Running For Yet Another Year",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/nasa-figured-out-how-to-keep-its-48-year-old-voyager-2-probe-running",
        "published": "2026-08-08T11:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Live Science",
        "title": "NASA grants Voyager 2 probe another year of power with risky 'Big Bang' maneuver. Now, will it work for Voyager 1?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/nasa-grants-voyager-2-probe-another-year-of-power-with-risky-big-bang",
        "published": "2026-08-08T11:01:58.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}