Spacewatch: Voyager 1 gets new lease of life

Nasa has fired up a set of reserve thrusters on Voyager 1 that will extend the spacecraft's life by two to three years

For the first time in 37 years, Nasa fired up a set of reserve thrusters on Voyager 1. The resulting manoeuvre will allow the ageing spacecraft to remain in contact with Earth, extending its life by two to three years.

Voyager 1 lifted off from Earth on 5 September 1977. It encountered the giant planets Jupiter and Saturn, and Saturn's intriguing moon, Titan. Then it headed off towards interstellar space.