Voyager 1 re-establishes contact and continues journey toward new record
Disabling three devices and switching to lower-power alternatives will help the probe sustain scientific instrument operations longer.
NASA reported the restoration of communication with Voyager 1 following an unexpected malfunction in October. The farthest human-made spacecraft continues its flight and is approaching a new milestone: on November 18, the distance between it and Earth will reach one light-day—approximately 26 billion kilometers.
On October 18 and 19, NASA’s Deep Space Network failed to receive a signal during two scheduled communication sessions. The signal reappeared on October 20, even before engineers sent commands to address the issue. Since then, communication has remained stable.
A preliminary review revealed that one set of orientation thrusters shut down, after which a backup set automatically activated. This switch is part of the spacecraft’s fault protection system. Engineers continue to investigate the cause of the activation.
Shortly before this incident, the team successfully executed a separate power-saving operation dubbed the Big Bang. In September, specialists simultaneously disabled three devices and activated three less energy-intensive alternatives. The switch reduced power consumption while maintaining the necessary heating for the spacecraft. A similar procedure was performed on Voyager 2 approximately six weeks earlier.
The probes generate electricity from radioisotope generators that convert heat from plutonium decay. Their available power decreases by about 4 watts annually, forcing engineers to gradually disable equipment.
The new power scheme will extend Voyager 1’s scientific observations. Without it, another instrument would have had to be turned off as early as summer 2027.
Reaching one light-day will not alter the probe’s operating conditions but will vividly illustrate the scale of its journey. A radio command will take about a day to travel from Earth to the spacecraft, and the return signal will take another full day. Even the simplest exchange of messages will require nearly two days.
