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Nasa Voyager space probe sends back ‘impossible data’ from edge of solar system leaving scientists mind-blown

THE VOYAGER space probe has sent data back to Earth that is perplexing scientists everywhere.

The Voyager has surpassed the expectations that were set for the probe at its launch in 1977.

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The Voyager completed flybys of Jupiter and Saturn on its trip out of the solar systemCredit: Getty Images - Getty
It will be about 40,000 years before the Voyager crosses paths with another starCredit: Getty Images - Getty

The Voyager is 14.5 billion miles away and still beams data back home to Earth.

Because of the vast expanse of space between the two, it takes almost 21 hours to send a message to the probe.

Recent data sent back by the probe about its location and orientation in space conflicts with what Nasa knows about the probe's position.

“A mystery like this is sort of par for the course at this stage of the Voyager mission," said Suzanne Dodd, a project manager at .

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Nasa focused a statement on the attitude and articulation and control system (AACS) that may be at the root of the issue.

The AACS "controls the 45-year-old spacecraft's orientation" and "keeps Voyager 1’s high-gain antenna pointed precisely at Earth".

The signal to the Voyager has not weakened or faded, but the AACS is indeed transmitting bad data.

"I think if there’s a way to solve this issue with the AACS, our team will find it," Dodd said.

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The probe was launched 45 years ago and is the most distant man-made object in space.

"We're also in interstellar space — a high-radiation environment that no spacecraft have flown in before," Dodd added.

Interstellar space is defined as the unexplored deep space where the effects of the Sun cannot be felt.

On board the Voyager, there are golden vinyl records with images, music, sounds and greetings from Earth.

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