Six years after Voyager 1 has now reached the twin probe Voyager 2 interstellar space. Data analyses have shown that the probe is already on 5. November had flown out of the area of the magnetic fields around the sun, said the US space Agency Nasa. The probe is now about 18 billion kilometers from earth, but that he could still communicate with the researchers – however, any Transfer of Information will take around 16.5 hours.
as far as Voyager 2 Voyager 1 arrived so far. This Time it is even better, because the so-called Plasma Science Experiment (PLS) can still function, said the head of the relevant Nasa-Department, Nicky Fox. The measurements of the instrument allowed for a “never-before-seen look into truly unexplored territory”. In the case of the Voyager 1 PLS Instrument failed in 1980, and thus long before the probe reached the border of the heliosphere.
Both probes have been sent in 1977, on their Mission to explore the planets Jupiter and Saturn. That you have left the heliosphere, it does not mean, according to Nasa, but that you also have to leave the solar system. This will not happen so soon. As the limit of the solar system, a Region outside of the Oort cloud. It would take about 300 years for Voyager 2 reached the Oort cloud, said Nasa. Until it reaches the outer end would pass, therefore, likely to be even 30,000 years.
Off to save power
Actually, the Mission of the two probes was applied for a duration of five years. They have proved to be very tough. In view of their high age of 41 years, they were still “very healthy”, said the expert, Suzanne Dodd.
in Order to save power, you must turn off the Nasa, however, always instruments. In this way, Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 could survive for another five to ten years, it said. Both probes have on Board a Golden record with recordings of Erdgeräuschen and messages – as witnesses of a civilization on the Blue planet.
