NASA’s Voyager 1 has conquer a technical setback from November 2023, effectively resuming customary operations and knowledge transmission through Would possibly 2024. All 4 of its science tools are energetic once more, finding out area past our sun gadget. Credit score: Caltech/NASA-JPLAfter resolving technical problems, Voyager 1 has returned to customary operations, with all tools absolutely useful and proceeding to check interstellar area.Upkeep is ongoing to make sure knowledge accuracy and gadget steadiness. Voyager 1, in conjunction with Voyager 2, remains to be a important a part of NASA’s deep-space exploration.Resolving Voyager 1’s Technical IssuesNASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft is accomplishing customary science operations for the primary time following a technical factor that arose in November 2023.
Artist’s thought of NASA’s Voyager spacecraft. Credit score: NASA/JPL-CaltechRestoration of Science InstrumentsThe undertaking crew partly resolved the problem in April once they brought on the spacecraft to start returning engineering knowledge, which incorporates details about the well being and standing of the spacecraft. On Would possibly 19, the crew carried out the second one step of that restore procedure and beamed a command to the spacecraft to start returning science knowledge. Two of the 4 science tools returned to their customary working modes straight away. Two different tools required some further paintings, however now, all 4 are returning usable science knowledge.Proceeding Voyager MissionsThe 4 tools learn about plasma waves, magnetic fields, and debris. Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 are the one spacecraft to immediately pattern interstellar area, which is the area out of doors the heliosphere — the protecting bubble of magnetic fields and sun wind created through the Solar.Ongoing Upkeep and MilestonesWhile Voyager 1 is again to accomplishing science, further minor paintings is had to blank up the results of the problem. Amongst different duties, engineers will resynchronize timekeeping tool within the spacecraft’s 3 onboard computer systems so they are able to execute instructions on the proper time. The crew can even carry out repairs at the virtual tape recorder, which information some knowledge for the plasma wave tool this is despatched to Earth two times in step with 12 months. (Lots of the Voyagers’ science knowledge is distributed immediately to Earth and now not recorded.)Voyager 1 is greater than 15 billion miles (24 billion kilometers) from Earth, and Voyager 2 is greater than 12 billion miles (20 billion kilometers) from the planet. The probes will mark 47 years of operations later this 12 months. They’re NASA’s longest-running and most-distant spacecraft. Each spacecraft flew previous Jupiter and Saturn, whilst Voyager 2 additionally flew previous Uranus and Neptune.The Voyager missions, consisting of Voyager 1 and Voyager 2, are NASA’s dual area probes introduced in 1977 to discover the outer planets and past. Voyager 1 thinking about Jupiter and Saturn, whilst Voyager 2 explored Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. After their number one missions, each probes endured on to check the outer reaches of the sun gadget and now shuttle via interstellar area, sending precious knowledge in regards to the heliosphere and the broader universe past our sun gadget. Those missions have considerably expanded our working out of the sun gadget and stay a number of the farthest-reaching human-made gadgets in area.
