100 Things: #33

[pyran]

The Voyager 1 spacecraft was only expected to continue functioning until it got to Saturn in 1980.  Instead, it is currently about to leave the Solar System entirely and is still sending back data.  It is currently expected to finally run out of power in 2025-2030, some 45 to 50 years longer than expected.

Comments

[evelynne]

That is just amazing. And I thought it was impressive that our microwave lasted 17 years (and it was a hand-me-down, so it was already "old").

[pyran]

Heh. I know what you mean. And considering this thing was built in the early-to-mid 70s, even moreso!