NASA’s Voyager 1 Probe Stopped Communicating—And It Could Take Weeks to Fix
The space agency identified an issue with one of the spacecraft’s computers as the source of the problem but said engineers could take weeks to find a solution.
An artist illustration of one of NASA’s twin Voyager spacecraft. [Courtesy: Caltech/NASA-JPL]
Key Takeaways:
Voyager 1, a 46-year-old spacecraft, is currently unable to send usable scientific and engineering data back to Earth due to an issue with its Flight Data System (FDS).
The FDS is stuck transmitting a repetitive pattern of binary code, preventing the communication of new information from over 15 billion miles away.
NASA engineers are working to diagnose and fix the problem, a task complicated by the spacecraft's age, its vast distance from Earth (causing long communication delays), and the need to consult decades-old documentation.
After an unsuccessful attempt to reboot the system, NASA anticipates it will take several weeks to devise and implement a solution to restore Voyager 1's data transmission.
That’s a question NASA is scrambling to answer. The longest-operating spacecraft in history (alongside its twin Voyager 2) is apparently experiencing an issue with one of its onboard computers—and now it can’t phone home.
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Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.
