http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4338245.stm

Looks like a lack of funding may mean a sad ending for our far far away probes. If this means more money for better future probes then so be it, but I will be sad to see them go.

It's sad that these and Ulysses may have to get shut down.
The story was not very explicit. I hope it is the case that they can moth-ball the fleet so that they can reliably check in once and a while, having some periods of data collecting now and again.

I would like to know where the Heliopause is.

On the other hand, we are a few years from launching the Pluto Kuiper Express mission, that should get out there faster, and using better communication methods. One way or another, we'll have a probe out there in twenty years.

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Forming opinions as we speak

This would be good..... I'm sure that this is what they will do rather than losing them altogether.

By the way, when is the Pluto mission to be launched? and how long will it take to get there. Also, is it part of project prometheus? ie will it be using nuclear means to get there?