Key Takeaways:
- NASA successfully resolved communication issues with Voyager 1, a spacecraft launched in 1977, which is now over 14.6 billion miles away from Earth.
- Voyager 1 was the second probe launched but became the first man-made object to escape the solar system in 2012.
- The trouble stemmed from a malfunction in the craft’s attitude articulation and control system (AACS), which controls the antenna’s alignment with Earth.
- NASA managed to fix the issue by switching AACS to a working computer, restoring accurate data transmission.
- The space agency is investigating the root cause of the problem, with hopes of identifying and rectifying it as Voyager 1 continues its journey into the unknown.
In 1977, the Voyager probes embarked on a remarkable journey into the cosmic unknown, and decades later, they continue to defy the limits of space exploration. Recently, NASA received puzzling signals from Voyager 1, raising concerns about the aging spacecraft’s well-being. The signals were garbled, hinting at a potential system failure. However, NASA engineers successfully resolved this issue, only to uncover a new mystery.
Voyager 1, despite its name, was the second probe launched, embarking on the “Grand Tour” of the outer planets thanks to a unique planetary alignment. It passed by Jupiter and Saturn before venturing into interstellar space, becoming the first human-made object to escape the solar system in 2012.
The trouble began in May when NASA reported problems with Voyager 1’s attitude articulation and control system (AACS), responsible for keeping its antenna pointed at Earth. This system’s failure could have meant losing contact with the spacecraft. Interestingly, even with AACS malfunctioning, NASA still received valuable data. Something perplexing was afoot.
Communicating with a 45-year-old spacecraft over a distance of 14.6 billion miles is a monumental challenge. Each exchange takes nearly a full day. After months of investigation, NASA managed to correct the skewed AACS telemetry. Remarkably, the AACS system was operational, but it had been using a known faulty computer to send telemetry data.
The solution turned out to be a simple switch to the backup computer, restoring the transmission of accurate data. However, the question remains: why did AACS opt for the malfunctioning computer initially?
NASA is determined to uncover the root cause. The next step involves a comprehensive memory readout of the AACS, which may reveal the triggering event. Engineers are cautiously optimistic about identifying and rectifying the fundamental issue, all while Voyager 1 continues its remarkable journey into the cosmos.
