Voyager 1, launched into space 46 years ago, resumes data transmission
Scientists have lost contact with the spacecraft for the last six months, but now it is possible to repair it remotely
For the first time since November 2023, the Voyager 1 probe team has received telemetry data on the status of onboard systems from the spacecraft. This is stated on the website of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Earlier, NASA reported that the cause of the Voyager 1 malfunction was a damaged memory segment in one of the probe's onboard computers. This caused the probe to transmit incorrect telemetry to Earth. According to NASA, the problem can be solved, but it will take additional time.
It is noted that part of the code stored on the damaged segment of the onboard memory and responsible for the operation of the telemetry generation unit has been successfully moved to another location.
In the coming weeks, the engineers plan to move the remaining parts of the code, including those responsible for the transmission of scientific data.
"Voyager 1 is the most distant man-made object from Earth. In 46 years and seven months, it has moved away from the planet by more than 162 AU. Like Voyager 2, the probe has left the heliosphere and is now exploring interstellar space.
This is not the first such failure of the spacecraft. In 2023, Voyager 2 lost communication due to antenna disorientation.
For reference: an astronomical unit (the distance from the Earth to the Sun) is approximately 150 million km.
Background. As a reminder, SpaceX launched the Starship rocket for the third time, but lost contact with it on its return to Earth.
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