NASA’s Voyager spacecraft, launched in 1977, has recently sent back scientific observational data after reestablishing communication with NASA crews two months ago. The data, transmitted by the last remaining operational instruments on Voyager 1, provides vital information about plasma and magnetism in interstellar space. Currently located 15 billion miles from Earth and having been traveling for 46 years and 7 months since leaving our solar system, Voyager 1 is an enduring testament to humanity’s curiosity about the universe.
In March 2024, mission control at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory successfully fixed the issue preventing two-way communication with Voyager 1. By dividing and storing corrupted computer code in different sections on the probe’s flight data subsystem, the onboard computer was able to find them again, allowing for the restart of scientific data transmission on May 19th. Two of the four science instruments immediately returned to their normal operating modes while the other two required additional work to return usable science data.
Suzanne Dodd, Voyager’s project manager, expressed amazement at the spacecraft’s longevity and resilience. However, within the next year or so, some instruments will need to be powered down due to battery drain. By 2036, Voyager 1 will be beyond the reach of the Deep Space Network and all communications carrying the Golden Record into the unknown. The enduring journey of Voyager 1 serves as a remarkable achievement in space exploration, showcasing humanity’s capabilities and curiosity about the universe.
