Since its launch in August 1977, Voyager 2 has embarked on an extraordinary and uncharted journey through the vastness of space. This spacecraft has journeyed to several planets within our solar system, capturing our collective imagination by providing us with breathtaking pictures and invaluable information about these distant celestial bodies.

Despite the passage of decades, Voyager 2’s significance remains undiminished, as it remains at the forefront of space exploration. However, the positive attitude towards the spacecraft changed when recently, for unknown reasons, the aircraft became radio silent. Read on to learn what happened to Voyager 2 and what caused it to stop broadcasting from 12.4 billion miles away.

Out of contact

In July 2023, something important happened with Voyager 2. It’s far away, about 12.4 billion miles from Earth, and it lost its ability to talk to NASA through the Deep Space Network. For now, it can’t get new instructions from NASA or send data back to us.

The trouble started when Voyager 2 got some commands from NASA on July 21. Those commands accidentally made its antenna move slightly, about 2 degrees away from pointing at Earth. This mix-up caused the communication problem, and now Voyager 2 is taking a break from talking to us while NASA tries to figure out how to fix it.

The work should continue.

Despite this communication glitch, experts are optimistic that Voyager 2 will stay on course as planned. However, the actual confirmation of its proper trajectory hinges on a significant date: October 15, 2023.

On this day, Voyager 2 is scheduled for its routine orientation reset, a procedure performed throughout the year. In the interim, the spacecraft will boldly venture through interstellar space in solitude while likely amassing more of its consistently astounding data.

The unusual activity

A significant milestone for Voyager 2 occurred in December 2018, when NASA confirmed its entry into interstellar space. While Voyager 1 had already paved the way for exploring this distant realm, this achievement was significant. A specific instrument onboard Voyager 2 enabled NASA to anticipate an even deeper understanding of the universe.

Although “interstellar” is often used casually, its significance isn’t always fully grasped. Essentially, “interstellar” directly translates to “between stars,” and that’s precisely where this section of our galaxy resides. However, comprehending the distinct nature of interstellar space becomes more apparent when we contrast it with the neighboring expanse beyond its borders.

Heliopause

Indeed, interstellar space differs from the region surrounding the Sun, implying the existence of a distinct boundary between these domains. This distinction is referred to as the heliopause.

Both Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 have successfully crossed the heliosphere’s outer limits, thus entering interstellar space. Intriguingly, pursuing this cosmic realm wasn’t the primary objective for either spacecraft. Initially launched for different missions, they have both unexpectedly enriched our understanding of the universe.

Exploring the edges of our solar system

As the probes’ names suggest, both were launched as part of NASA’s Voyager program. Voyager 2 was the first to be sent off on August 20, 1977, with its sister following suit on September 5. And broadly speaking, the two crafts were tasked with exploring the outer reaches of our solar system.

The pair of probes were designed in precisely the same manner, too, and are indistinguishable to look at. They also apparently weigh 1,704 pounds, of which 231 pounds can be attributed to various scientific implements. And stowed away on Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 is something known as the Voyager Golden Record.

 A sample of life on Earth

The Voyager Golden Record is a phonograph with sounds and images representing Earth. A committee led by the renowned astronomer Carl Sagan was responsible for curating the content of the discs. This panel ultimately selected a combination of natural sounds and diverse musical pieces from different cultures across the globe.

The music included on the record was deliberately chosen to showcase a broad spectrum of human musical preferences, encompassing classical compositions by Bach and Beethoven and some examples of popular music. The inclusion of Chuck Berry’s iconic track “Johnny B. Goode” stirred unease among some critics, who deemed the song “youthful.” In response to these concerns, Sagan calmly retorted, “There are a lot of adolescents on the planet.”

Launching hope

In an unlikely scenario involving potential contact with extraterrestrial beings, a duplicate of the Voyager Golden Record was dispatched aboard each spacecraft. Addressing the significance of this artifact to NASA in 1977, Sagan elaborated, “The spacecraft will be encountered, and the record played only if there are advanced spacefaring civilizations in interstellar space. But… the launching of this bottle into the cosmic ocean says something very hopeful about life on this planet.”

Contained within the Voyager Golden Record are around 115 illustrations and photographs. Some of these visuals depict diverse mathematical and scientific concepts, while others capture the everyday facets of human life. Each record copy is accompanied by a few notes, including one from the then-president.

A message to the beyond

“This is a present from a small, distant world,” the president wrote to the potential discoverers of either probe. “[It is] a token of our sounds, science, images, music, thoughts, and feelings. We are attempting to survive our time so we may live into yours.”

However, the Voyager mission was conceived with goals beyond the possibility of extraterrestrial contact. Primarily, these two probes were launched into space with the specific aim of studying the planetary systems of Saturn and Jupiter. Remarkably, after fulfilling these primary objectives, the spacecraft exceeded its intended scope and ventured further.

Uranus and Neptune

Indeed, after Voyager 2 had completed its investigations of Saturn and Jupiter, it continued its extraordinary journey to Uranus and Neptune. It successfully explored Uranus’ planetary system in 1986 and Neptune’s in 1989. Voyager 2 is the sole spacecraft to have ever explored these two distant planets.

On the other hand, Voyager 1 became the third human-made object to achieve the required velocity to exit the confines of our solar system. Up to this day, only five probes have accomplished this remarkable feat: the two Voyager spacecraft, Pioneer 10, Pioneer 11, and New Horizons. Notably, New Horizons was launched in 2006, while the other four were found during the 1970s.

First volcano

In January 1979, Voyager 1 embarked on its photographic exploration of Jupiter. The most impressive images in March of that year offered unprecedented glimpses of the planet’s intricate rings, magnetic fields, and various moons. Notably, this observation phase revealed volcanic activity on the Moon Io—a groundbreaking discovery that marked the first-ever observation of such phenomena beyond Earth.

During its passage near Jupiter in July 1979, Voyager 2 corroborated the observations made by its sister probe concerning Io’s volcanic activity. Furthermore, the spacecraft captured a view of the awe-inspiring Great Red Spot—an immense anticyclonic storm believed to have endured for around 350 years, which stands as one of the most prominent features of our solar system.

11-hour day

Both Voyager probes conducted comprehensive studies of Saturn’s atmosphere, and Voyager 1 revealed that it is primarily composed of helium and hydrogen. These spacecraft also completed rotations around Saturn, determining the planet’s day length, which is approximately 11 hours on Earth.

Voyager 1’s trajectory also took it past Titan, Saturn’s most significant natural satellite and the second-largest Moon in the solar system, surpassed only by Ganymede, which orbits Jupiter. Intriguingly, Titan not only exceeds the size of our Moon by around 50 percent, but it also surpasses the planet Mercury in size.

Artificial object

In 1998, Voyager 1 surpassed the Pioneer 10 space probe, securing its position as the farthest human-made object from Earth. Voyager 1 covers about 325 million miles annually, equivalent to traversing a single light year in around 18,000 years. Adding to its list of achievements, in August 2012, Voyager 1 attained the distinction of becoming the first spacecraft to enter interstellar space.

Voyager 2, on the other hand, achieved its closest approach to Uranus in January 1986. During its proximity to the planet, the probe discovered 11 previously unknown moons. Additionally, Voyager 2’s observations provided insight into Uranus’ rotational characteristics, revealing that a day on Uranus lasts slightly over 17 Earth hours.

New moons

In 1989, Voyager 2 accomplished the remarkable feat of reaching and closely approaching the distant planet Neptune. During this encounter, the spacecraft conducted a flyby of Triton and identified six additional moons that had previously eluded detection. Voyager 2’s exploration also unveiled the presence of two rings encircling the ice giant Neptune.

After Voyager 2’s intensive exploration of Neptune, the planetary phase of its mission concluded; however, unlike returning to Earth, NASA repurposed the spacecraft for an extended task. This new mission involved delving into the region beyond the heliosphere to gather insights about interstellar space. Like its twin probe, Voyager 2 embarked on a journey toward interstellar space, continuing its role as a valuable explorer of the cosmos.

The Plasma Science

In December 2018, NASA unveiled that Voyager 2 had crossed the heliosphere the previous month. The agency’s confidence in making this assertion rests on the capabilities of a specific instrument aboard Voyager 2 known as the Plasma Science instrument, or PLS.

While the PLS ceased functioning on Voyager 1 in 1980, it continues to operate effectively on Voyager 2. This instrument plays a crucial role in identifying the characteristics of solar wind particles within the heliosphere. Notably, the absence of detectable solar wind around Voyager 2 since November 2018 is concrete evidence that the spacecraft has transitioned into interstellar space, marking a significant achievement in its ongoing journey.

No man has seen.

Moreover, the functional Plasma Science instrument (PLS) on Voyager 2 holds the potential to benefit significantly the exploration of the universe, as pointed out by an expert in the field. John Richardson from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) noted to NASA in December 2018.

“Even though Voyager 1 crossed the heliopause in 2012, it did so at a different location and during a different period than Voyager 2, and without the benefit of PLS data. This means we are still observing phenomena unseen by anyone before.” The continued operation of the PLS on Voyager 2 offers a unique opportunity to gather unprecedented insights into the cosmos.

Beyond the boundaries

Both Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 are now actively transmitting information back to Earth. By analyzing the gathered data, NASA can delve into the intricate details of the heliosphere and how it responds to external influences. This ongoing process holds profound importance in driving discoveries, as NASA’s heliophysics division director affirmed.

Nicola Fox of NASA emphasized the significance of the Voyager missions, stating, “Voyager holds a special place within our heliophysics endeavors. Our investigations begin at the Sun and encompass all the solar wind interacts with. The Voyagers providing insights about the fringes of the Sun’s domain offer us an unparalleled glimpse into largely unexplored territories.” These missions, transmitting data from the outer reaches of our solar system, offer a unique window into a previously unknown realm.

Functional until 2025

Current estimates suggest that both Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 might continue functioning until 2025. Beyond that point, their power sources could dwindle, leading to the conclusion of their scientific operations. Even under this scenario, these spacecraft will have persevered for nearly five decades since the commencement of their respective missions.

When NASA launched the Voyager probes in 1977, their intended operational span was just five years. Remarkably, they have exceeded these expectations, successfully achieving their primary goals of investigating Jupiter and Saturn and their explorations of Uranus and Neptune. Moreover, both spacecraft have now reached the remarkable milestone of interstellar space.

Milestone for humanity

“I believe we are all filled with happiness and relief that the Voyager probes have not only persisted but have also surpassed this significant milestone,” shared mission project manager Suzanne Dodd with the agency.

Continuing her thoughts, she added, “This is the culmination of our collective anticipation. Our focus now shifts to the exciting prospects of the knowledge we will gain from having both probes positioned beyond the heliopause.”

Continuing the Voyager mission

NASA is gearing up for a fresh mission to build upon the groundbreaking accomplishments of the Voyager probes. Referred to as the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe, this initiative is currently set for launch in 2024.

The potential discoveries that this mission could unveil are intriguing to contemplate. Its findings have the potential to supplement the wealth of data collected by the Voyager missions, thereby further expanding our understanding of the vast realms within our universe.