Voyager 1 spacecraft phones home with transmitter that hasn't been used since 1981

[+thexfile Subscriber²]

The backup radio transmitter has remained dormant for about 43 years.

Following recent communication issues, NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft resorted to using a backup radio transmitter that has been inactive since 1981.

The interstellar explorer experienced a brief pause in communications after putting itself in a protective state to conserve power. This was triggered by a command sent on Oct. 16 from NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN) — a global array of giant radio antennas — instructing the spacecraft to turn on one of its heaters.

 

https://www.space.com/space-exploration/missions/voyager-1-spacecraft-phones-home-with-transmitter-that-hasnt-been-used-since-1981

[Skyfrog]

It's amazing that we are still communicating with a 1970s computer system from 15 billion miles away that has been operating in space for nearly fifty years.

Meanwhile I need to reboot my six month old router again... 😄

[+thexfile Subscriber²]

It doesn't have AI. 😋

[+Eternal Tempest MVC]

On 31/10/2024 at 12:43, thexfile said:

It doesn't have AI. 😋

Someone needs to see Star Trek: The motion Picture (1979)

[+Eternal Tempest MVC]

On 31/10/2024 at 00:55, Skyfrog said:

It's amazing that we are still communicating with a 1970s computer system from 15 billion miles away that has been operating in space for nearly fifty years.

Meanwhile I need to reboot my six month old router again... 😄

It is nice to see when you have a group of smart people, intentionally over engineer something, with the mindset to make it as durable and last as long as possible with the best technology available.

https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasas-voyager-will-do-more-science-with-new-power-strategy/

"power themselves with radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs), which convert heat from decaying plutonium into electricity."