NASA’s Kepler spacecraft has delivered groundbreaking data to the science community during its remarkable nine-year journey. Its hunt for Earth-like planets in habitable zones of stars has not only assisted in the search for extraterrestrial life, but also provided crucial clues to the formation of our universe. Sadly, though, the exoplanet-hunting telescope isn’t exempt from the cheesy “all good things must come to an end” expression. After almost a decade in space, Kepler is expected to run out of fuel within the next few months. Although its expiration is inevitable, its legacy will burn indefinitely.
Without a fuel gauge, Kepler’s demise is simply estimation, and it hasn’t shown signs of slowing down just yet. NASA is continually monitoring the craft for signs of low fuel, like changes in thruster performance and fuel tank pressure, but no warnings have arisen so far. Kepler will continue to carry out research campaigns and send scientific data back to Earth until its thrusters, which are needed to aim the spacecraft and transmit data, begin to show signs of fuel depletion.