voyager 8 update

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The award-winning Voyager 8 is a carbon fiber, airline carry-on-size transit case with a rack-mountable UPS that can host up eight Voyager modules.

Ideal for Command Post deployments in either fixed or mobile locations, Voyager 8 is a mature product deployed in the field since 2012 but still providing class-leading capability per cubic inch.

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Anti-aging —

Nasa wants the voyagers to age gracefully, so it’s time for a software patch, around a half-dozen full-timers and a few part-timers are keeping voyager alive..

Stephen Clark - Oct 24, 2023 12:15 am UTC

Forty-six years in deep space have taken their toll on NASA's twin Voyager spacecraft. Their antiquated computers sometimes do puzzling things, their thrusters are wearing out, and their fuel lines are becoming clogged. Around half of their science instruments no longer return data, and their power levels are declining.

Still, the lean team of engineers and scientists working on the Voyager program at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory are taking steps to eke out every bit of life from the only two spacecraft flying in interstellar space, the vast volume of dilute gas outside the influence of the Sun's solar wind.

"These are measures that we're trying to take to extend the life of the mission," said Suzanne Dodd, Voyager project manager at JPL, in an interview with Ars.

Voyager's instruments are studying cosmic rays, the magnetic field, and the plasma environment in interstellar space. They're not taking pictures anymore. Both probes have traveled beyond the heliopause, where the flow of particles emanating from the Sun runs into the interstellar medium.

"These two spacecraft are still operating, still returning uniquely valuable science data, and every extra day we get data back is a blessing," Dodd said.

While spacecraft engineers love redundancy, they no longer have the luxury of backups on the Voyagers. That means, in any particular section of the spacecraft, a failure of a single part could bring the mission to a halt.

"Everything on both spacecraft is single-string," Dodd said. "There are not any backup capabilities left. In some cases, we powered off stuff to save power, just to keep the instruments on."

Problem-solving from more than 12 billion miles away

Over the weekend, ground controllers at JPL planned to uplink a software patch to Voyager 2. It's a test before the ground team sends the same patch to Voyager 1 to resolve a problem with one of its onboard computers. This problem first cropped up in 2022, when engineers noticed the computer responsible for orienting the Voyager 1 spacecraft was sending down garbled status reports despite otherwise operating normally. It turns out the computer somehow entered an incorrect mode, according to NASA .

Managers wanted to try the patch on Voyager 2 before transmitting it to Voyager 1, which is flying farther from Earth, deeper into interstellar space. That makes observations of the environment around Voyager 1 more valuable to scientists.

At the same time, engineers have devised a new way to operate the thrusters on both Voyager spacecraft. These small rocket engines—fired autonomously—are necessary to keep the main antenna on each probe pointed at Earth. There's a buildup of propellant residue in the narrow lines that feed hydrazine fuel to the thrusters. NASA says the buildup is "becoming significant" in some of the lines, so engineers beamed up fresh commands to the spacecraft in the last few weeks to allow the probes to rotate slightly further in each direction before firing the thrusters.

This will result in the spacecraft performing fewer, longer firings, each of which adds to the residue in the fuel lines. The downside of this change is that science data transmitted back to Earth could occasionally be lost, but over time, the ground team concluded the plan would allow the Voyagers to return more data, NASA said.

With these steps, engineers expect the propellant inlet tubes won't become completely blocked for at least five more years, and "possibly much longer," NASA said. There are other things engineers could try to further extend the lifetime of the thrusters.

“This far into the mission, the engineering team is being faced with a lot of challenges for which we just don’t have a playbook,” said Linda Spilker, Voyager project scientist at JPL, in a statement. “But they continue to come up with creative solutions.”

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Engineers Pinpoint Cause of Voyager 1 Issue, Are Working on Solution

Engineers have confirmed that a small portion of corrupted memory in one of the computers aboard NASA’s Voyager 1 has been causing the spacecraft to send unreadable science and engineering data to Earth since last November. Called the flight data subsystem (FDS), the computer is responsible for packaging the probe’s science and engineering data before the telemetry modulation unit (TMU) and radio transmitter send the data to Earth.

In early March , the team issued a “poke” command to prompt the spacecraft to send back a readout of the FDS memory, which includes the computer’s software code as well as variables (values used in the code that can change based on commands or the spacecraft’s status). Using the readout, the team has confirmed that about 3% of the FDS memory has been corrupted, preventing the computer from carrying out normal operations.

The team suspects that a single chip responsible for storing part of the affected portion of the FDS memory isn’t working. Engineers can’t determine with certainty what caused the issue. Two possibilities are that the chip could have been hit by an energetic particle from space or that it simply may have worn out after 46 years.

Although it may take weeks or months, engineers are optimistic they can find a way for the FDS to operate normally without the unusable memory hardware, which would enable Voyager 1 to begin returning science and engineering data again.

Launched in 1977 , the twin Voyager spacecraft flew by Saturn and Jupiter, and Voyager 2 flew by Uranus and Neptune. They are both exploring interstellar space, outside the bubble of particles and magnetic fields created by the Sun, called the heliosphere. Voyager 2 continues to operate normally.

News Media Contact Calla Cofield Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. 626-808-2469 [email protected]

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Klas Telecom to supply Voyager 8 system for soldier tactical radios

Klas Telecom is to supply its Voyager 8 deployable communications system for soldier and backpack tactical radios provided by Harris and Thales.

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Featuring a rack-mountable chassis, the carbon-fibre transit case will provide mounting brackets, power, battery backup, radio relay and net management for Harris Falcon III AN/PRC 117G, Harris Falcon III AN/PRC 152A, L-3 Tactical Network Rover, Thales AN/PRC 148 MBITR/JEM, and modular RF AR-20 and AR-50 amplifiers.

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Its integrated power design allows radios to be powered by the system and removed without interrupting operation, Klas Telecom said in a statement.

The system's chassis can store up to four secure network enclaves with HAIPEs, or be configured as a high-port density, single-enclave system.

Klas Telecom chief technology officer Frank Murray said: “Our new Voyager Tactical Radio Integration Solution provides the ideal bridge between IP and radio worlds, without compromising on size, weight and power (SWaP).

“Users can now, in one airline carry-on-size case, have a complete route, switch, storage and compute network solution that also houses and integrates their data-capable tactical radios.”

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The Voyager tactical radios are said to provide route, switch, storage and computing capabilities, as well as mounting and power for common tactical radios in a single rollaway case.

Klas Telecom operates in the US and international defence, first responder, disaster relief, law enforcement and transportation markets.

Image: Klas Telecom has built the Voyager 8 for all mounted radios. Photo: courtesy of Klas Telecom.

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SOFTWARE & MAP UPDATES

Software Update Version 2.0 brings on a huge addition to Voyager Pro's capabilities: Load custom GeoPDF maps directly into Voyager Pro.

Find GeoPDF files around the internet (or make your own) and import them to Voyager Pro using the MicroSD card. Voyager Pro will handle the conversion, warping the GeoPDF to fit perfectly on the Voyager Pro map screen.

Click here for more info!

*Please Save GPX Tracks to MicroSD to Avoid Data Loss During Update*

• MicroSD Card MUST be formatted as EXFat to update Software on Voyager Pro
• Group Ride "Buddy Tracking" will not work with Previous Version of Software; all users in group must update to at least version (VH1931B).

By downloading, you agree to the terms and conditions . Software change log

UPDATE Process

Maps A map data update can change the map for different regions or parts of the world. Maps are very large and detailed, so the whole world cannot be loaded all at once. The data can include specialized layers like hill shading, topo-lines, etc. NOTE: These Maps are available for Voyager Pro ONLY

Maps Available for Download:

USA (Lower 48) | Alaska & Hawaii Only Canada Mexico & Central America Northern South America | Southern South America Western & Central Europe | Northern & Eastern Europe Northern Aftrica | Southern Africa Australia & New Zealand South East Asia | South West Asia/India

Download GPX Offroad Trails for Voyager & Voyager Pro

-----------------------------------------

Arizona (ATV/MX)

California (ATV/MX)

Colorado (ATV/MX)

Idaho (ATV/MX)

Michigan (ATV/MX)

Nevada (ATV/MX)

Oregon (ATV/MX)

Utah (ATV/MX)

Michigan (Snowmobile)

Minnesota (Snowmobile)

New York (Snowmobile)

GPX MAP EDITORS

GPX editing tools allow you to research, plan, upload, and export GPX waypoints, tracks and routes. These tools are great resources for planning your next adventure from the comfort of your own home. Export your GPX files to MicroSD, insert/import files into Voyager Pro or Voyager and have fun.

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Engineers attempt to fix a computer glitch on Voyager 1

Voyager 1's system that sends data home is malfunctioning, preventing the computer from operating as it should.

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Last November, the Voyager 1 spacecraft began sending gibberish radio signals back to Earth. Engineers have now identified the problem, but trying to repair a 46-year-old device on a craft 24 billion kilometres from Earth is not easy.

Voyager 1 and its twin Voyager 2 were both launched in 1977 on a reconnaissance mission to Jupiter and Saturn. They were designed to fly past the giant planets to obtain closeup images of those distant worlds and their myriad of moons.

Both spacecraft performed beyond expectations, discovering many new moons — some covered in ice , one with active volcanoes , another with a thick atmosphere and closeup details of Saturn's rings .  

Following the Saturn encounter, Voyager 1 was flung upwards by Saturn's gravity on a trajectory northward, above the orbital plane in which most of the planets orbit the Sun, out of our solar system. NASA extended its mission and from there it went on to become the first human-made object to venture into interstellar space in 2012. 

Voyager 2, however, was aimed toward Uranus and Neptune, which were conveniently positioned in a rare alignment with Jupiter and Saturn making it the only spacecraft to visit those distant worlds.

Following the grand tour of the outer solar system, Voyager 2 was also tossed out toward interstellar space in 2018 when its mission was extended and where it continues on its journey today. 

• After a 42-year journey, Voyager 2 goes interstellar
• Voyager 1 picks up the 'hum' of interstellar space

While their primary missions were over, both spacecraft were still in good health, thanks largely to their nuclear power sources or Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTG). These containers hold small amounts of plutonium which provide heat that is turned directly into electricity with no moving parts. They have an expected lifetime of around 50 years and have kept the Voyagers' instruments running.

Now, as both spacecraft continue their journey through the space between the stars, they are showing signs of their age.

For Voyager 1, the problem seems to be in the flight data subsystem (FDS) that packages data from the scientific instruments for transmission to Earth. The scientists don't know if the faulty module was corrupted by cosmic rays or just worn out, but they say they're optimistic they may be able to work around the problem, although it will take some time.

Engineers have confirmed that corrupted memory aboard my twin <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Voyager1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Voyager1</a> has been causing it to send unreadable data to Earth. It may take months, but our team is optimistic they can find a way for the FDS to operate normally again: <a href="https://t.co/qe5iQUu4Oj">https://t.co/qe5iQUu4Oj</a> <a href="https://t.co/AGFBZFz53v">https://t.co/AGFBZFz53v</a> &mdash; @NASAVoyager

The challenge is that the computers were built in the 1970s using old code and send data very slowly by today's standards.

In addition, these computers are so deep in space, it takes 22.5 hours for a radio signal from Voyager 1 to reach Earth. That means the controllers on the ground have to wait 45 hours for each two-way communication with the spacecraft.

Given how very, very far they are from home, if something goes wrong with them, it's up to engineers on the ground to fix it by sending radio signals since reaching them for repair missions isn't possible. We're a long way from the fictional warp drive and sub-space communication that made life so easy on the Starship Enterprise of Star Trek fame. 

The twin Voyagers are now the most distant objects ever sent from Earth; a demonstration of how vast space is and how slow our spacecraft are. In 1977, I attended the launch of Voyager 2 when my hair was black and skin was smooth. This one mission with Voyager 1 and 2 has occupied a good chunk of my lifetime.

In another few years, the RTGs on both Voyagers are expected to run down to the point where the spacecraft will no longer be able to communicate with Earth. They will just continue to drift in silence among the stars of the Milky Way for billions of years. 

However, there is one item on both Voyagers that will continue to function, the Golden Record, which carries a message from Earth to anyone out there who may find the spacecraft in the future.

The chances of them being found are astronomically small, but they will become the longest running experiment in human history.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bob McDonald is the host of CBC Radio's award-winning weekly science program, Quirks & Quarks. He is also a science commentator for CBC News Network and CBC TV's The National. He has received 12 honorary degrees and is an Officer of the Order of Canada.

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Valorant Update 8.07 Patch Notes – Omen buff and Clove fixes

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Today’s Valorant 8.07 update is here, bringing a buff to Omen , much-needed fixes to Clove, as well as many other fixes and changes to the game. This update is set to go live on April 16th at 9 am EST/2 pm BST and comes just two weeks before the end of Episode 8 Act 2. Here is everything you need to know about the Valorant 8.07 update.

Valorant 8.07 patch notes: Bug fixes and more from Riot Games

Riot Games shared with us the official Valorant 8.07 patch notes for the update, which are as follows:

GENERAL UPDATES

• Interaction prompts have received an accessibility update, adding contrast to make them easier to read in-game. Prompt text has been simplified and weapon prompts no longer show skinline names.

AGENT UPDATES

• Omen is now able to pick up the Spike and interact with other useables like doors while in the Shade form of From the Shadows (X) without having to cancel the ability. Our goal is to make these interactions more intuitive and clearly intended.

GAMEPLAY SYSTEMS UPDATES

• Flashes now behave more consistently even if your latency is affected.
• NOTE: this is purely a visual fix and the underlying gameplay around damage has not changed.

• Fixed an exploit where Chamber could place Trademark (C) in unintended locations.
• Submitted a speculative fix for an issue where Clove’s corpse would sometimes remain upright after dying.
• Fixed a bug where Clove’s Not Dead Yet (X) does not progress the “Use Your Ultimate” weekly mission and Match Details incorrectly reports 0 casts.
• Fixed a bug where Clove’s Ruse (E) used after death does not report to the Match Details.
• Fixed a bug where damage to Clove’s Pick-Me-Up (C) temporary health did not appear in Combat Report.
• Fixed a bug where Clove’s aim direction would abruptly change when suppressed during Not Dead Yet (X).
• Fixed a bug where Clove would sometimes resurrect without their primary weapon when using Not Dead Yet (X).
• Fixed the same bug that also applied while Clove was crouched with Ruse (E) equipped.
• Fixed a bug where Clove’s Meddle (Q) used an incorrect ability icon in the Combat Report.
• Submitted a speculative fix for Clove’s Pick-Me-Up (C) HUD sometimes showing > 150 total health values when taking fall damage as Clove activated the ability
• Fixed a bug where moving through the edges of Clove’s smoke would cause flickering vision rather than a smooth transition.
• Fixed a bug where dead allies or observers spectating Clove would skip the death camera ceremony upon Clove’s death.
• Fixed a bug where Clove’s Meddle (Q) could rarely cause a client-side hitch.
• Glitchpop Classic
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• Elderflame Operator
• Ion Sheriff (Note: This was already hotfixed during 8.05, but adding here so everyone is aware.)
• We also had several other guns/skins reported as having audio issues (Standard/Default Phantom, Oni Phantom, Recon Phantom, etc.), but we verified these are actually working properly. If these guns or any other first person audio sounds different on headphones than it sounded before 8.05, it could be due to your speaker configuration in the VALORANT audio settings. This can happen if your USB headphones appear to Windows to be a surround sound device with multiple channels and you have opted into Auto-Detect in the VALORANT audio settings. If you are listening on headphones, have selected Auto-Detect, and do not have Spatial Audio enabled, your speaker configuration should appear as 2.0. If any other number of channels is shown, you can either set your VALORANT speaker configuration back to Stereo or enable Spatial Audio in Windows to fix this.

GAMEPLAY SYSTEMS

• Fixed an issue where Radio Commands Menu being bound to number keys caused a conflict when trying to activate commands.
• Fixed a bug where your status displayed in the roster list was sometimes too small to read.
• Fixed a bug where ties on the Standings were not broken correctly.

With Valorant Episode 8 Act 2 coming to an end this month, now is a great time to jump into the game, especially with the recent release of Clove which has been a huge hit with players. If you’re new to Valorant and are checking it out for the first time, we highly recommend reading our guide for the best PC to play Valorant and our guide for the peripherals that the top Valorant pros are using . Once you’ve got all of your equipment set up, check out our guide on the best mouse settings for Valorant .

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