# Voyager 1 spacecraft communication and thruster anomaly

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/voyager-1-spacecraft-communication-and-thruster-anomaly
> Updated: 2026-11-02T11:30:54.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 2.

NASA engineers investigated a 48 hour communication loss with the Voyager 1 spacecraft that occurred on October 18 and 19. The probe, situated roughly 24 billion kilometers from Earth, regained its signal on October 20 before mission control could transmit corrective commands.

Preliminary findings suggest that a group of thrusters stopped functioning, which triggered an automatic fault protection system. This system transitioned the spacecraft into a safe, stable configuration and activated backup thrusters to maintain orientation. 

This anomaly occurred following the “Big Bang” project in September, an energy saving initiative where engineers replaced three devices with more efficient alternatives to mitigate the declining power supply from the probe’s plutonium based generators.

## Timeline

### 2026-11-02: NASA Voyager 1 restores communication after unexpected signal loss

NASA has restored contact with Voyager 1 after a 48-hour communication blackout. The probe's automated systems successfully activated backup thrusters to resolve the issue.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-voyager-1-restores-communication-after-unexpected-signal-loss

### 2026-10-30: NASA investigates Voyager 1 communication loss and thruster anomaly

NASA is investigating why Voyager 1 lost communication for 48 hours. The probe, 24 billion km from Earth, regained its signal after an automatic fault protection system activated due to a thruster anomaly.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-investigates-voyager-1-communication-loss-and-thruster-anomaly

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Cite as: Voyager 1 spacecraft communication and thruster anomaly. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/voyager-1-spacecraft-communication-and-thruster-anomaly