NASA’s Voyager 1 probe, the most distant man-made object in the universe, recently resumed sending usable data to ground control after experiencing communication issues.
Communication Issue
- On November 14, 2023, Voyager 1 stopped transmitting readable data to Earth while still receiving commands.
- This posed a challenge for ground controllers.
Resolution
- In March, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory identified a malfunctioning chip as the cause of the communication problem.
- Engineers developed a coding fix to address the issue, accommodating the spacecraft’s aging computer system’s memory constraints.
Current Status
- Voyager 1 is now transmitting data regarding the health and status of its engineering systems.
- Efforts are underway to restore the transmission of scientific data.
Voyager 1 Mission Overview
- Launched in 1977, Voyager 1 became the first human-made spacecraft to enter the interstellar medium in 2012.
- It is currently over 15 billion miles away from Earth.
- Voyager 2, its twin, also exited the solar system in 2018.
Golden Records
- Both Voyager spacecraft carry Golden Records, 12-inch gold-plated copper disks containing information about Earth.
- These records were designed to communicate with extraterrestrial life and contain a variety of content, including a map of the solar system, encoded images, music, and sounds.
Future Prospects
- Voyager 1’s power banks are expected to deplete around 2025.
- Afterward, it will continue its journey through the Milky Way, potentially indefinitely.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers:
- What caused Voyager 1 to stop transmitting readable data to Earth?
- A) Loss of power
- B) Malfunctioning chip
- C) Interference from extraterrestrial sources
- D) Signal distortion
- Answer: B) Malfunctioning chip
- When did Voyager 1 enter the interstellar medium?
- A) 2005
- B) 2012
- C) 2018
- D) 2020
- Answer: B) 2012
- What is included on the Golden Records carried by Voyager spacecraft?
- A) Music and sounds only
- B) Maps of other galaxies
- C) Encoded images of Earth and music
- D) Written messages only
- Answer: C) Encoded images of Earth and music