NASA’s Voyager 1, the most distant spacecraft from Earth, has resumed sending scientific data after experiencing a computer problem in November. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory made the announcement this week, stating that the spacecraft’s four instruments are now operational.
Voyager 1 first began transmitting meaningful data in April and has since been directed to analyze its surroundings once again. Launched in 1977, the spacecraft is currently traveling through interstellar space, the area between star systems. Before entering this region, the spacecraft made significant discoveries such as identifying a thin ring around Jupiter and observing several of Saturn’s moons. Its instruments are designed to gather information about plasma waves, magnetic fields, and particles.
Located over 15 billion miles (24.14 kilometers) from Earth, Voyager 1’s twin spacecraft, Voyager 2, is also in interstellar space but at a distance of more than 12 billion miles (19.31 kilometers) away. Both spacecraft have provided valuable data about the outer regions of our solar system.
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