Author Topic: EEVblog 1547 - Contacting the Voyager 2 Space Probe  (Read 5684 times)

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Offline EEVblogTopic starter

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EEVblog 1547 - Contacting the Voyager 2 Space Probe
« on: June 05, 2023, 11:32:39 pm »
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:
« Last Edit: June 08, 2023, 02:56:45 am by EEVblog »
 
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Offline dr.diesel

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Re: EEVblog 1547 - Contacting the Voyager 2 Space Probe
« Reply #1 on: June 06, 2023, 11:10:31 am »
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.

Online Kleinstein

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Re: EEVblog 1547 - Contacting the Voyager 2 Space Probe
« Reply #2 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.
 

Offline EEVblogTopic starter

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Re: EEVblog 1547 - Contacting the Voyager 2 Space Probe
« Reply #3 on: June 06, 2023, 11:39:40 pm »
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.

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

Offline Ed.Kloonk

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Re: EEVblog 1547 - Contacting the Voyager 2 Space Probe
« Reply #4 on: June 06, 2023, 11:43:28 pm »
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?
iratus parum formica
 

Offline EEVblogTopic starter

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Re: EEVblog 1547 - Contacting the Voyager 2 Space Probe
« Reply #5 on: June 08, 2023, 01:17:25 am »
Part's 2 and 3 added.
 

Online DL4JY

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Re: EEVblog 1547 - Contacting the Voyager 2 Space Probe
« Reply #6 on: June 09, 2023, 10:03:39 am »
Gorgeous report.

Especially Richard presenting this fascinating  topic in an interesting unexcited way  ;)

BTW, does somebody happen to know if Richard is holding a radio amateur license? Being so passionated about RF.

thanks,

Juergen
 

Offline richnormand

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Re: EEVblog 1547 - Contacting the Voyager 2 Space Probe
« Reply #7 on: June 13, 2023, 10:46:28 pm »
Love these visits to unique facilities! Thanks Dave.

Thinking of unique electronics related installations in Australia to visit have you thought of the Hornsdale Power Reserve, ie: the Tesla Big Battery.
Is it too far from you for a visit? How is it doing now? In particular with the initial fire and contract issues...

Another one might be the SKA (Square Kilometer Array) if the building process has started.

Cheers
Repair, Renew, Reuse, Recycle, Rebuild, Reduce, Recover, Repurpose, Restore, Refurbish, Recondition, Renovate
 

Offline EEVblogTopic starter

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Re: EEVblog 1547 - Contacting the Voyager 2 Space Probe
« Reply #8 on: June 16, 2023, 06:10:56 am »
Thinking of unique electronics related installations in Australia to visit have you thought of the Hornsdale Power Reserve, ie: the Tesla Big Battery.
Is it too far from you for a visit? How is it doing now? In particular with the initial fire and contract issues...
Another one might be the SKA (Square Kilometer Array) if the building process has started.

Just mentioned doing tours like this in another thread.
I'd like to do a lot of these, but ultimately the travel costs come out of my pocket.
The Youtube views pay a pittance, and I'm not sure my Patreons would want me spending the Patreon money on such stuff?  :-//
Flights, rental car, accomodation, and meals all add up.
It's not that I won't be because of this, I'm actively looking at planning a trip to the Siding Springs obversatory I was invited to tour. But if I do a lot fo them then it all adds up.
« Last Edit: June 16, 2023, 06:14:18 am by EEVblog »
 

Offline EEVblogTopic starter

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Re: EEVblog 1547 - Contacting the Voyager 2 Space Probe
« Reply #9 on: June 16, 2023, 06:15:10 am »
BTW, does somebody happen to know if Richard is holding a radio amateur license? Being so passionated about RF.

Don't know. Ask him on twitter (nascom1)
 

Offline 240RS

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Re: EEVblog 1547 - Contacting the Voyager 2 Space Probe
« Reply #10 on: June 20, 2023, 11:44:30 am »
Does anybody have any info on the 1/6 forward error correction code they can use. He mentioned the symbol (or signal?) power can then be some dB below the noise level and still be decoded. I know this is true in theory, but would love to hear more.
 

Offline EEVblogTopic starter

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Re: EEVblog 1547 - Contacting the Voyager 2 Space Probe
« Reply #11 on: June 20, 2023, 11:59:45 pm »
Does anybody have any info on the 1/6 forward error correction code they can use. He mentioned the symbol (or signal?) power can then be some dB below the noise level and still be decoded. I know this is true in theory, but would love to hear more.

Ask Richard on Twitter.
 

Offline 240RS

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Re: EEVblog 1547 - Contacting the Voyager 2 Space Probe
« Reply #12 on: June 22, 2023, 11:32:13 am »
Does anybody have any info on the 1/6 forward error correction code they can use. He mentioned the symbol (or signal?) power can then be some dB below the noise level and still be decoded. I know this is true in theory, but would love to hear more.

Ask Richard on Twitter.
Thanks! Done
 

Offline floobydust

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Re: EEVblog 1547 - Contacting the Voyager 2 Space Probe
« Reply #13 on: July 30, 2023, 01:59:48 am »
"A series of planned commands sent to NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft on July 21 inadvertently caused the antenna to point 2 degrees away from Earth. As a result, Voyager 2 is currently unable to receive commands or transmit data back to Earth." source  :palm:

NASA bungled that one. Hopefully in October the spacecraft successfully runs it's routine to scan but it's pretty old and I wonder how the SRAM is doing.
 


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