NASA's Voyager 1 probe faces mystery glitch in interstellar space; investigation launched

It was on September 5, 1977, when National Aeronautics and ministration (NASA ) launched Voyr 1 probe into . Fast forward to 2022, craft h been still going strong, having w reached 23.3 billion kilometers from Earth. In 2012, Voyr 1 became first man-me object to cross heliosphere, boundary of sun's influence, and enter interstellar . However, owing to such a staggeringly long journey, it seems craft has started to feel toll, raising concerns for NASA. 

NASA reports mystery glitch in 45-year-old craft

According to ncy's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), scientists have detected issues in Voyr 1's attitude articulation and control system (AACS). This system allows craft to maintain its orientation and keeps its high-gain antenna pointed precisely at Earth, enabling data transfer. However, ncy found that reouts by AACS are t reflecting what's happening onboard even though craft is operating rmally and is receiving and executing commands from Earth.

NASA furr said that system's telemetry data being sent is invalid as it appears to be randomly generated, or does t reflect any possible state AACS could be in. Despite se amalies, Voyr continues to send signals at same strength as its high-gain antenna remains in its prescribed orientation. tably, technical glitch has t triggered any onboard fault protection systems which would put craft into 'safe mode'. 

Suzanne Dodd, project manr for Voyr 1 and 2 at JPL said in a statement, "A mystery like this is sort of par for course at this st of Voyr mission". She said that since probe is w in interstellar – a high-riation environment – engineering team faces many challenges. "But I think if re’s a way to solve this issue with AACS, our team will find it", Dodd said. She, however, underscored that team may t be able to find amaly's source and would inste have to apt to it. 

Voyr 1 was launched with its twin Voyr 2 in same year and latter, too, has crossed heliosphere. Voyr 2 is currently 19.5 billion kilometers and both probes are likely to stay operational till 2025.