Voyager 2 Lost Contact With Earth, But 'Heartbeat' Signal Offers Hope Of Reconnection
Voyager 2 recently lost contact with Earth, after 46 years of exploring space. Contact with the spacecraft was lost more than a week ago, and all communication with Voyager 2 goes through NASA¡¯s Deep Space Station 43, a 70-metre radio dish at the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex.
After trying to detect the spacecraft, scientists have heard a faint "heartbeat" signal from the craft, increasing hopes of reconnecting it with Earth.
The Voyager spacecraft - Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 - were designed to undertake a tour of the Solar System. Throughout their journey, the spacecraft stayed in touch with Earth through three antennas of the Deep Space Network - one in Spain, another in California, and the third in Canberra.
Both the spacecraft completed their primary goals in 1989 and are now exploring interstellar space. Currently, Voyager 2 is 20 billion kilometres away from Earth.
How did Voyager 2 lose contact?
On July 21, a few commands sent to Voyager 2 caused the spacecraft's antenna to point two degrees away from Earth. Owing to this error, the spacecraft is unable to receive commands or transmit data back to Earth.
The Deep Space Station 43 in Canberra is the only antenna in the world that can communicate directly with both the Voyagers. The other stations in the northern hemisphere are unable to track Voyager 2 because Earth is in their way, The Conversation reported.
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The same station allowed researchers to detect Voyager 2's heartbeat, an indication of it still being functional. Now, scientists will attempt to send commands to Voyager 2 to reorient its antenna towards Earth.
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If the attempts fail, Voyager 2 is programmed to use the Sun and another star called Canopus to re-orient itself a few times each year. The next reset is set to take place on October 15 that should automatically resume communications with Earth.
What do you think about Voyager 2's long journey through space? Let us know in the comments below.?For more in the world of?technology?and?science, keep reading?Indiatimes.com.
