Voyager 1 pivots to power-saving mode as NASA tests a risky 'Big Bang' to extend life

NASA has shut down Voyager 1's Low-Energy Charged Particle instrument to conserve dwindling power; only two of its 10 instruments remain powered, while three are active on Voyager 2. A planned 'Big Bang' maneuver would swap several powered devices for lower‑power equivalents to keep the craft warm and continue collecting data. The Big Bang for Voyager 2 is planned for May–June, with a possible July attempt for Voyager 1, a move that could extend the mission by about a year though data return will be limited.