Recently, NASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft, the most distant spacecraft from Earth, experienced a technical issue that caused it to stop sending back understandable data in November 2023. However, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California announced that the spacecraft’s four scientific instruments are now back in operation after the problem was resolved.
Since its launch in 1977, Voyager 1 has been exploring interstellar space, which is the space between star systems. Despite the computer problem it faced in November, the spacecraft has resumed sending science data back to Earth. The team at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory first received meaningful information from Voyager 1 in April and recently commanded it to resume sending science data.
Voyager 1’s twin spacecraft, Voyager 2, is also functioning properly and continuing its mission. Both spacecraft have provided valuable data about the outer reaches of our solar system and beyond. This recent technical issue with Voyager 1 serves as a reminder of the challenges and successes that come with exploring the unknown depths of space.