Voyager 2: NASA Detects Faint Signal from Lost Probe
GUAM – In a remarkable turn of events, NASA has detected a faint signal from Voyager 2, almost two weeks after losing contact with the long-running probe. The signal, although weak, confirms that the spacecraft is still on its designated path and functioning despite the communication glitch.
The Deep Space Network managed to pick up the signal, but unfortunately, it was not strong enough to acquire any data. Voyager 2 currently stands an astonishing 12.4 billion miles away from our planet and exited the heliosphere back in 2018, venturing beyond the boundaries of our solar system.
The unexpected communications breakdown was caused by routine commands that inadvertently altered the craft’s antenna orientation. In an attempt to restore communication, NASA is planning to send a command to Voyager 2, urging it to turn its antenna towards Earth.
Interestingly, Voyager 2’s counterpart, Voyager 1, continues to transmit valuable data from an astonishing distance of 15 billion miles away. Launched in 1977 as part of a mission to investigate the outer regions of the solar system, both Voyagers are the sole human-made objects to traverse the vast space between stars.
Notably, these impressive probes carry a captivating “golden record,” serving as a time capsule that harbors various sounds and images from our home planet. Considered a symbolic representation of humanity, this record commemorates our existence and serves as an interstellar message.
Despite their remarkable longevity, the Voyager probes will inevitably reach the demise of their scientific journey. At some point, the scarcity of electricity necessary to power their instruments will render them inoperable.
Scientists and space enthusiasts remain optimistic, eagerly awaiting Voyager 2’s response to the upcoming command. Meanwhile, every moment counts as these groundbreaking spacecraft forever etch their names in the annals of space exploration.
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