“This far into the mission, the engineering team is being faced with a lot of challenges for which we just don’t have a playbook,” said Dr. Linda Spilker, who is a Voyager project scientist NASA JPL. “But they continue to come up with creative solutions.”

The initial software glitch on Voyager 1 involved the spacecraft sending back messy data but all other systems indicated the spacecraft was operating within normal parameters. After months of troubleshooting, the engineers uploaded a patch that they are hopeful will not only solve the problem but prevent it from occurring again in Voyager 1 and not occurring in Voyager 2. To solve the thruster buildup issue, the engineers decided to adjustment the orientation of each spacecraft by 1 degree and conduct fewer firings of the thrusters to save fuel and prevent further buildup within the thrusters for the long-term.

How much longer will the Voyager spacecraft last and continue to send back data as they keep traveling father into the void? Only time will tell, and this is why we science!

As always, keep doing science & keep looking up!

Sources: NASA, NASA (1), NASA JPL, NASA JPL (1)

Master’s (MA/MS/Other)Laurence Tognetti is a six-year USAF Veteran who earned both a BSc and MSc from the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University. Laurence is extremely passionate about outer space and science communication, and is the author of “Outer Solar System Moons: Your Personal 3D Journey”.You May Also Like