Join CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter to stay updated on the latest news about the universe, including exciting discoveries and scientific breakthroughs. Plus, get insights into the recent computer glitch that has impacted communication between NASAs Voyager 1 spacecraft and its mission team after 46 years of exploration.
Engineers are currently working on resolving the problem as the aging spacecraft ventures into unexplored cosmic territory in the outer regions of the solar system. Voyager 1 holds the record for being the farthest spacecraft from Earth, currently at a distance of about 15 billion miles (24 billion kilometers), while its twin, Voyager 2, has traveled over 12 billion miles (20 billion kilometers) away from our planet. Both spacecraft are in interstellar space, and are the first and only to operate beyond the heliosphere, which is the sun's magnetic fields and particle bubble that extends well beyond Pluto's orbit.
Initially designed to last for five years, the Voyager probes have surpassed all expectations and are now the two longest-operating spacecraft in history. Their remarkable longevity has allowed both spacecraft to continue providing valuable insights about our solar system and beyond, even after completing their original missions of passing by Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune decades ago.
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Their long journeys have been full of challenges, but the Voyager 1 carries three onboard computers, one of which is a flight data system. This system collects information from the spacecraft's science instruments and combines it with engineering data that reflects the current health status of the spacecraft. This data is then sent to mission control on Earth in binary code, represented by a series of ones and zeroes.
But Voyager 1s flight data system now appears to be stuck on auto-repeat, in a scenario reminiscent of the film "Groundhog Day."
A long-distance glitch
The mission team first became aware of the issue on November 14th, when the flight data systems telecommunications unit started sending a recurring pattern of ones and zeroes, as if it were stuck in a loop.
Although the spacecraft is still able to receive and execute commands sent by the mission team, a problem with the telecommunications unit has resulted in no science or engineering data from Voyager 1 being transmitted back to Earth.
NASA's Voyager team attempted to reboot the spacecraft's flight data system over the weekend, but has not yet received any usable data. Engineers are now working to identify the root cause of the issue before deciding on the next steps to address it, stated Calla Cofield, a media relations specialist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. This investigation may take several weeks.
On October 14, 2022, NASA astronaut and Expedition 68 Flight Engineer Frank Rubio is photographed checking on tomato plants growing inside the International Space Station for the XROOTS space botany study. The tomatoes were cultivated without soil using hydroponic and aeroponic nourishing techniques to showcase space agricultural methods that can support crews on long term spaceflights, particularly those that are farther away from Earth and where resupply missions become unfeasible. Credit: Koichi Wakata/Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
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In 1981, Voyager 1 had a similar issue with its flight data system, but it seems unrelated to recent glitches. As the Voyager probes face new challenges, the mission team can only refer to the original manuals from decades ago, which don't fully address the aging spacecraft's current issues.
The Voyager team is carefully analyzing all possible consequences before transmitting additional commands to the spacecraft in order to safeguard its operations from unforeseen impacts.
With Voyager 1 situated at such a great distance, it requires 22.5 hours for Earth-transmitted commands to reach the spacecraft, and an additional 45 hours to receive a response from the spacecraft.
Prolonging the Life of the Voyager Probes
As the Voyager probes, now considered senior citizens in the world of space exploration, continue their journey through the universe, the team is gradually deactivating instruments in order to conserve power and prolong their missions. This update was shared by Voyagers project manager Suzanne Dodd in a CNN report.
During their journey, both spacecraft have faced unforeseen challenges and communication interruptions, such as a seven-month period in 2020 when Voyager 2 lost contact with Earth. In August, the mission team successfully restored communication with Voyager 2 using a risky "shout" technique, after a command caused the spacecraft's antenna to point in the wrong direction.
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NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI
Scientists have made astonishing discoveries in a massive star explosion within the Milky Way. The team aims to restore the steady flow of data from Voyager 1, but the mission's significance lies in its prolonged duration, Cofield explained. For instance, scientists are eager to observe the changes in particles and magnetic fields as the probes venture beyond the heliosphere. However, the dataset will be lacking if Voyager 1 is unable to transmit information during its ongoing journey.
The mission team has employed innovative strategies to prolong the power supply for both spacecraft, allowing their unprecedented missions to continue. "The Voyagers have exceeded their original missions and outlasted any other spacecraft," Cofield stated. "While the engineering team works tirelessly to sustain them, we anticipate encountering challenges along the way."
