news.volyx.in

Voyager 1 stops communicating with Earth (cnn.com)

1273 points by my12parsecs · 981 days ago · 608 comments on HN

Article summary

NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft has experienced a computer glitch, causing a communication breakdown between the spacecraft and its mission team on Earth. The issue is affecting the spacecraft's ability to send back science and engineering data. Engineers are working to solve the problem, which may take weeks to resolve. Voyager 1 is currently the farthest spacecraft from Earth, operating in interstellar space.

Main themes

  • Voyager 1 glitch
  • space exploration
  • interstellar space
  • NASA engineering
  • space-faring civilizations
  • media bias
  • scientific reporting
  • spacecraft communication

What commenters say

  • The Voyager 1 glitch is likely a minor issue that will be resolved by NASA engineers.
  • The possibility of other objects being farther away from Earth than Voyager 1 is discussed, including a manhole cover launched by a nuclear explosion test.
  • Some commenters believe that the universe may contain other space-faring civilizations, while others think it is unlikely due to the improbability of certain events lining up.
  • The density of space-faring civilizations in the universe could be extremely low, making interaction with them unlikely.
  • Regular media outlets are often criticized for their sensationalized reporting on scientific topics.
  • The ownership and bias of media outlets, such as CNN, are questioned by some commenters.
  • The Voyager program's longevity and achievements are notable, with the spacecraft operating far beyond its initial planned lifespan.
  • The challenge of communicating with a spacecraft as far away as Voyager 1 is highlighted by the significant delay in sending and receiving commands and data.