John Carlos BaezI have so many questions about what just happened with Voyager 2. But let's review:
On August 20, 1977, Voyager 2 was launched from Earth.
In December 1977, it entered the asteroid belt.
In June 1978, its main radio receiver failed. Since then it's been using the backup receiver!
On July 9, 1979, it flew past many of Jupiter's moons, made its closest approach to Jupiter, and took tons of beautiful pictures.
On August 26, 1981 it shot past Saturn and took tons of beautiful pictures.
On August 25, 1989 it shot past Uranus and took tons of beautiful pictures.
On November 5, 2018 it crossed the heliopause and entered interstellar space, 120 times farther from the Sun than we are.
On July 18, 2023, it overtook Pioneer 10 and became the second farthest man-made object from the Sun.
3 days later, some idiot sent a command that pointed its high gain antenna 2 degrees away from Earth. HOW EXACTLY DID THIS HAPPEN?
On August 4, 2023, NASA used its most high-powered transmitter to successfully command Voyager 2 to reorient towards Earth, resuming communications. HOW WAS THAT POSSIBLE?
Voyager 2 is now 133 AU away. How can you "shout" across such a distance and attract the attention of someone who is not looking in your direction? That's very far. It takes light about 18 hours to travel that far.
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