Space probe Voyager 1, which is already 24 billion kilometers from Earth, has suffered a disruptive error in recent months, causing nonsense data to be sent to Earth. But NASA engineers have found a solution.
Bypass defective chip
The problem existed since November 14, 2023. The probe appeared to function normally, but the data received on Earth turned out to be nonsense. The problem ultimately turned out to be in one of the computers on board, namely the Flight Data Subsystem (FDS).
This system must compile the data packets that must be sent to Earth. A chip where part of the software code of the FDS computer is stored turned out not to work. That corrupted the data to be sent so that it became unusable.
Redistribution
The solution lies in redistributing that software code to other storage locations. Because the software code could not be stored in its entirety anywhere, it was modified. Because the radio signal takes 22 hours to reach Voyager 1 and the response takes another 22 hours, entering these corrections is a challenge. But It worked. Voyager 1 has been sending meaningful data again since April 20, 2024.
In the sky you can watch this week:
Sun and moon times (Saturday May 4)
Sunrise: 5:57 am; under 9:09 p.m.
Moon at: 5:04 PM (Saturday); bottom: 5:50 am (Sunday).
Moon – The phase of our natural satellite decreases even further. We still find the moon in the morning sky. On Wednesday, May 8, there is a New Moon (invisible, Aries zodiac sign) at 5:24 am.
Planets – With the help of binoculars, Saturn can be spotted with some difficulty above the east-southeast horizon shortly before sunrise. On May 4, the moon is there, which makes it easier. Jupiter has become virtually unobservable. The giant planet sets in the west-northwest at 9:59 p.m. Then it is not dark yet. Another week later he is no longer visible.
Meteors – The Eta Aquarids are active from April 17 to May 27. These meteors come from the direction of the constellation Aquarius, which is low in the east-southeast in the early morning. The late night/morning is therefore the best time to see these meteors. Maximum activity is expected on May 5 with about 50 meteors per hour. Unfortunately, moonlight is a disturbing factor during the first few days when the moon crosses this area of the sky.
More information: RP Elings, tel. 0527-699142 / 06-51931417; email: [email protected]
