How long can the Voyager 1 (and the other interstellar-space bound probes) last?

[PeteG]

I was just wondering how long these probes will last. I don't mean until their RTG's pack in and they can no longer function (which I believe will be in 15 or so years for Voyager 1), but I mean how long can they physically exist? I find it a sobering to think of them possibly outliving humanity and maybe all other traces of our species.
I'm assuming the chances of them being captured by another star system are pretty low so are there any other dangers they could face? Anything that would degrade the crafts over time? What will their lifetime be measured in? Thousands, millions or even billions of years?
Thanks

[aurora]

They should physically exist for millions of years. is my guess. In interstellar space there should be very few micro meteors to strike them.

[John Jaksich]

The Voyager spacecraft were very well designed and have outlasted all expectations...and should (barring any catastrophe) continue through inter-stellar space. Here is a good link for them:


http://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/

[Bearded One]

Molecular adhesion and even the probes minuscule gravity could cause build up over time. How long until it's unrecognizable?

[kleindoofy]

... I find it a sobering to think of them possibly outliving humanity ...

Sobering only if one is intoxicated with a notion of the importance of humanity in the universe and of humanity's longevity or even immortality. We're only a fleeting wisp on Earth. Nobody was waiting for us and we won't be missed.

Just like the gravestone of a forgotten person, the probes will be the last witnesses of our existence, unnoticed by the rest of matter. And when, in a few billion years, they are smashed to their atoms by a passing object, our last glimmering will be extinguished.

[Van Rijn]

Or perhaps something of us will continue and prosper. It would be unlikely they'd find these little probes, however, simply because space is big.

[Romanus]

I think they will easily outlive the Sun in recognizable form--heck, maybe even survive the Milky Way-Andromeda collision a few billion years hence. It'll be the place to witness the future evolution of the Galaxy. If they get flung into intergalactic space they could last even longer.

[KaiYeves]

I love thinking about the Voyagers and their attached messages. It's just so beautiful.

[WayneFrancis]

I'm with Romanus. I think it is a coin flip if they'll get flung out of the galaxy merger in ~3 billion years. Where ever our solar system goes I'd say they would go. They will experience the same gravitational forces and probably would be more influenced by the solar system "dragging" them along what ever path it happens to be.

A few billion years is a long time. Wouldn't hold my breath for anything finding them. Even in the far future I can imagine that anything the does detect their actual presence would even bother to look close enough to realize that it isn't anything more then a small hunk of matter.

Don't expect any Star Trek like robotic alien to find them and do anything with them.

[Klaus]

Sobering only if one is intoxicated with a notion of the importance of humanity in the universe and of humanity's longevity or even immortality. We're only a fleeting wisp on Earth. Nobody was waiting for us and we won't be missed.

Just like the gravestone of a forgotten person, the probes will be the last witnesses of our existence, unnoticed by the rest of matter. And when, in a few billion years, they are smashed to their atoms by a passing object, our last glimmering will be extinguished.

Talk about sobering...

[antoniseb]

There are several probes that are not gravitationally bound to the Sun, but are (currently) very bound to the Milky Way galaxy. While there is a slim possibility that one of them may collide with something substantial, I suspect that most of them will continue being recognizable until a sizable fraction of their protons have decayed.

At that point the last red dwarf will have long ago become a cold ball of Helium.

[timb]

There are several probes that are not gravitationally bound to the Sun, but are (currently) very bound to the Milky Way galaxy. While there is a slim possibility that one of them may collide with something substantial, I suspect that most of them will continue being recognizable until a sizable fraction of their protons have decayed.

What is the evidence that proton decay occurs?

[astromark]

No. no, no, you are all wrong... ( )
The facts are these; 'Voyager will collide with a interstellar life form. Which will be extensively damaged., but having the ability to rebuild from the wreckage a ship that will attempt to for fill the goals of 'Voyager' and will call itself 'Veger'... It will become a higher life form and will live forever.... Ummm... this idea seems familare...

[alainprice]

I say some rich entrepreneur will retrieve them within 100 years as momentos to put in their yard(like a supped up lawn flamingo). And the cycle of life is complete....

[antoniseb]

What is the evidence that proton decay occurs?

None. Proton decay is hypothesized. I was making the point that these object will be around for much longer than you normally can imagine.

[cosmocrazy]

No. no, no, you are all wrong... ( )
The facts are these; 'Voyager will collide with a interstellar life form. Which will be extensively damaged., but having the ability to rebuild from the wreckage a ship that will attempt to for fill the goals of 'Voyager' and will call itself 'Veger'... It will become a higher life form and will live forever.... Ummm... this idea seems familare...

No they will just sue for damages!