NASA’s iconic Voyager 1, a space probe launched in 1977, has raised eyebrows as it continues its remarkable journey beyond the solar system, but not without a peculiar glitch. The spacecraft, now 46 years into its mission and 15 billion miles away from Earth, has begun sending nonsensical data in binary code, sparking concerns among scientists.
Originally embarked on a five-year mission to explore Jupiter and Saturn, Voyager 1 has surpassed all expectations by venturing deeper into the cosmos. As the first human-made object to leave the solar system, its signals take over 22 hours to reach Earth in 2023. However, recent reports from NASA indicate a communication glitch affecting the transmission of vital data.
Equipped with three onboard computers, one for flight data and scientific instruments and another for engineering data, Voyager 1 has been a stalwart explorer in space. However, the recent anomaly involves the probe repeatedly sending the same code snippet, raising suspicions of a potential malfunction.
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, responsible for managing various robotic missions, addressed the issue on social media, stating, “The NASA Voyager team is investigating an issue with Voyager 1’s Flight Data System. The spacecraft is receiving and executing commands sent from Earth but not returning usable data.”
Last year, NASA made a strategic decision to deactivate certain systems on both Voyager 1 and its counterpart, Voyager 2, with the goal of extending their operational lifespan until their plutonium power sources are depleted. Current estimates suggest these spacecraft will remain functional until 2030, after which their transmitters and instruments will cease to operate, leading to a shutdown as they continue to drift aimlessly through space.
These remarkable probes hold the distinction of being the only human-made objects operating beyond the heliosphere, the expansive region of the Sun’s magnetic fields and particles extending far beyond the orbit of Pluto. As scientists work to unravel the mystery behind Voyager 1’s binary signals, the glitch adds another layer to the enduring legacy of these pioneering spacecraft.
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