The groundbreaking Voyager space probes are entering the final leg of their journey as NASA begins shutting down key systems this year, according to Scientific American.
The decision to cut off more systems is an attempt to expand their lifespan. Although the computer systems on board do not require much electricity, the probes have bled power after 45 years. The probes lose about 4 watts per year in total energy, requiring some systems to be cut off to save others, according to Scientific American.
For years, NASA has been shutting down different systems on Voyager 1 and 2 in an attempt to extend the lifespans of the probes.