News > NASA reconnects with Voyager via dormant 1981 transmitter

NASA reconnects with Voyager via dormant 1981 transmitter

On October 16 when a routine heater command was sent, Voyager 1, 25 billion km away, failed to respond after its 46-hour communication cycle. On October 18, NASA’s Deep Space Network detected Voyager’s signal on a faint, unexpected frequency. Voyager 1 switched to its S-band transmitter, inactive since 1981. This weaker but functional system allowed DSN engineers to reestablish contact, a remarkable feat for technology nearing 50 years of age.