NASA had to decide whether to upgrade the ground antenna used for communication with Voyager 1, launched in 1977, risking permanent loss of contact. The spacecraft's backup thrusters, used since 2004 after primary failure, were also showing signs of trouble. Engineers considered reviving the primary thrusters by turning on its heaters as a last attempt. Since even minor misalignments could sever communication, the team's decision was crucial for ensuring Voyager 1 continues its record-breaking journey beyond the solar system.
Think of it as the nozzle getting smaller and smaller with debris; the thruster gets weaker and weaker and allows less propulsion.
Even just a very small tip away, you know, a fraction of a degree, can swing the beam away from the Earth.
They went back, they looked at the old records. They decided it was worth trying to turn the heaters back on.
The biggest concern was that after the upgrade, when we turned the antenna back on, we might lose contact with Voyager 1 forever.
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