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EEVblog 1547 - Contacting the Voyager 2 Space Probe

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EEVblog:
How do you contact the Voyager 2 space probe?
PART 1: A detailed explanation by Richard Stephenson from the NASA Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex in Canberra on how the 70m DSS-43 dish at the CDSCC is used to still contact the Voyager 2 probe.
You can follow Richard on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nascom1

NOTE: This video is a re-release from the EEVblog Discover channel from 2017, to hopefully find a new audience.



Part2:

Part 3:

dr.diesel:
Assuming no hardware failures and the RTG would last, I wonder what the limit of communication is?  Meaning what year and how far away until it's likely no longer possible?

Voyager's mission duration might be hard to beat, even into the future, very cool.

Kleinstein:
They still seem to have a little reserve in the S/N ratio and by going down in the data rate.  So something like 2x the distance could still work if nothing breaks and the probe does no loose the direction.
Chances are the speed is about average and thus also about 2x the mission time.  If really needed a larger antenna or antenna array could help.

The limiting part is likely more voyager aging, both at the RTG and other parts (e.g. gyros to change / keep the orientation) or the electronics.

EEVblog:

--- Quote from: Kleinstein on June 06, 2023, 11:37:28 am ---They still seem to have a little reserve in the S/N ratio and by going down in the data rate.  So something like 2x the distance could still work if nothing breaks and the probe does no loose the direction.
Chances are the speed is about average and thus also about 2x the mission time.  If really needed a larger antenna or antenna array could help.
The limiting part is likely more voyager aging, both at the RTG and other parts (e.g. gyros to change / keep the orientation) or the electronics.

--- End quote ---

Yes, if Voyager physically survives, they have the margin to continue to contact it.

Ed.Kloonk:
Since that vid came out, I understand that the craft has aged somewhat. (Fraser Cain?)

Is there a hard and fast list of what still works?

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