Farthest Human-Made Spacecraft In Interstellar Space Is Sending Back 'Random' Data

The farthest human-made object in Earth, NASA's Voyager 1 probe is sending back invalid data to scientists. While everything seems to be in place, for some reason, the first spacecraft to reach interstellar space is currently making no sense.

Rewind to 1977, when NASA launched Voyager 1 and its twin Voyager 2, making them both the first batch of spacecraft to reach interstellar space, where our Sun's influence fades to the background. Currently, Voyager 1 is 23.3 billion kilometers away from Earth.

NASA

Voyager 1 is acting suspiciously

A NASA statement on Wednesday claimed that the Voyager 1 has been sending "invalid data" about its journey into uncharted space. Owing to this, the probe's attitude articulation and control system (AACS) is being affected.

Do you ever feel misunderstood? My team is investigating an issue with my data. Even though I¡¯m sending signals and operating normally, some data readouts don¡¯t exactly match what¡¯s happening out here. While they investigate, I¡¯ll keep doing my thing. https://t.co/1GJUP6kH6c

¡ª NASA Voyager (@NASAVoyager) May 19, 2022

The AACS is responsible for ensuring that the spacecraft stays on its path and that its communication antenna remains pointed towards Earth. While the antenna is in place, it continues to send "random" telemetry data and other invalid information about the probe's positions that are impossible.

Also read: Look At NASA's Otherworldly Image Of An Interstellar Nebula That's Going Viral

"A mystery like this is sort of par for the course at this stage of the Voyager mission... The spacecraft are both almost 45 years old, which is far beyond what the mission planners anticipated," Suzanne Dodd, project manager for Voyager 1 and 2 at NASA¡¯s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said in the statement.

Let's not forget - interstellar space isn't a friendly place. It's a high radiation environment where no human aircraft has ever reached before. "But I think if there¡¯s a way to solve this issue with the AACS, our team will find it," Dodd added.

NASA

Also read: NASA's Curiosity Rover Finds A 'Doorway' On Mars: What Is This Strange Structure?

In the meanwhile, Voyager 2 continues to operate normally. Now, scientists will assess whether the Voyager 1's AACS system is malfunctioning or whether some other instruments are involved. Regardless, this marks the fifth decade of Voyager 1 and 2's operation in space, implying that their retirement is way overdue.

What do you think about these weird readings coming in from interstellar space? Let us know in the comments below. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com.

References

Ferreira, B. (2022c, May 19). A Probe In Interstellar Space Is Sending Back Impossible Data, NASA Says. Vice.