The Voyager 2 probe, which has been exploring space since 1977, has lost contact with Nasa after receiving the wrong command last month. The spacecraft’s antenna was tilted two degrees away from Earth, causing it to stop receiving commands and sending data back to Nasa. Voyager 2 is currently over 12.3 billion miles away from Earth, hurtling through interstellar space at a remarkable speed of 34,390mph. Although the probe has been unable to communicate since 21 July, Nasa remains hopeful that communication will resume when the probe resets in October.
Nasa’s Deep Space Network, a network of giant radio antennae located across the world, has been unable to send commands or receive data from the Voyager 2 probe since the mishap. In an effort to re-establish contact, Nasa’s huge dish in Canberra, Australia, is attempting to detect any stray signals from the probe. The correct command will also be directed towards Voyager 2’s location, with the hope that it will make contact with Earth. The next reset of the probe’s orientation is scheduled for 15 October, and Nasa anticipates that communication will resume at that time.
While the probe awaits re-connection, Nasa expects Voyager 2 to remain on its intended trajectory through the universe. Voyager 2 and its twin Voyager 1 are the only spacecraft to operate beyond the heliosphere, the protective bubble created by the Sun’s particles and magnetic fields. Both probes entered interstellar space in 2018 and 2012, respectively. Voyager 2 has explored Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, while Voyager 1 is currently over 15 billion miles from Earth, making it the most distant spacecraft created by humanity. Additionally, both spacecraft carry a Golden Record containing Earth’s sounds, pictures, and messages meant to communicate our planet’s story to potential extraterrestrial life.
SOURCE: Ref Image from Daily Star
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