NASA’s Voyager 1, which is currently the farthest spacecraft from Earth, is once again sending valuable science data back to researchers. After experiencing a computer issue in November, Voyager 1’s four instruments are now fully operational thanks to the efforts of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The team was able to successfully retrieve meaningful information from the spacecraft in April and recently instructed it to resume its studies of the surrounding environment.
Designed to analyze plasma waves, magnetic fields, and particles, Voyager 1’s instruments play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the universe. Launched in 1977, Voyager 1 is currently navigating through interstellar space, the vast region between star systems. Along its journey, the spacecraft made significant discoveries such as identifying a thin ring around Jupiter and observing some of Saturn’s moons up close.
At a distance of over 15 billion miles (24.14 billion kilometers) from Earth, Voyager 1 continues to transmit valuable data back to scientists on Earth. Its sibling spacecraft, Voyager 2, which is also in interstellar space, is more than 12 billion miles (19.31 billion kilometers) away. Both Voyager probes have provided invaluable insights into the mysteries of space and continue to expand our knowledge of the cosmos.
