NASA has turned off the Low-Energy Charged Particles Experiment (LECP) on Voyager 1 after sending a shutdown command on April 17, 2026, which took over 23 hours to reach the spacecraft 25 billion kilometers away.
Why NASA shut down the LECP instrument on Voyager 1
The shutdown follows a preplanned sequence to conserve power as the probe’s radioisotope thermoelectric generator output declines, extending the mission by approximately one year.
How the power-saving sequence works for both Voyager probes
NASA engineers designed a ranked instrument shutdown order years ago to maximize complementary data return, with Voyager 1’s LECP being the next in line after earlier power-saving steps.
What remains active after the LECP shutdown
A small stepper motor within the LECP instrument stays powered on, consuming about 0.5 watts to allow potential reactivation if power conditions improve.
NASA’s upcoming Big Bang power test for Voyager 2
Starting in May and June 2026, NASA will test a high-risk power-saving protocol nicknamed “Big Bang” on Voyager 2, which has slightly more remaining energy than Voyager 1.
Conditions for Voyager 1 to receive the Big Bang program
If the Voyager 2 test succeeds, Voyager 1 may receive the same power reduction program as early as July 2026, potentially allowing instruments like LECP to be reactivated.
Why did NASA choose to shut down LECP now?
LECP was selected due to the fact that it was next in the predefined shutdown sequence designed to prolong the mission while maintaining useful data collection from the interstellar medium.
What is the Big Bang program and how could it help?
The Big Bang program involves simultaneously shutting down or modifying multiple power-hungry components to reduce consumption and keep the probes warm enough to continue gathering scientific data.
