NASA to be unable to contact Voyager 2 for almost a year

NASA announced that Voyager 2 will stop receiving commands due to upgrades on the DSS43 radio antenna in Australia. This antenna, part of the Deep Space Network, is undergoing critical upgrades over 11 months. During this time, Voyager 2, traveling in a downward direction relative to Earth's orbital plane, will be out of command reach but will continue sending scientific data. The upgrades are necessary as the antenna's components are 40 years old and increasingly unreliable.

Why will Voyager 2 stop receiving commands from NASA?

• The spacecraft is malfunctioning.

• NASA is focusing on other missions.

• Voyager 2 is too far from Earth.

• The DSS43 antenna is undergoing upgrades.

What will Voyager 2 do during the DSS43 antenna upgrade period?

• It will stop all operations.

• It will return to Earth.

• It will continue to send scientific data.

• It will explore a new planet.

How old is the DSS43 radio antenna?

• 50 years old

• 40 years old

• 30 years old

• 20 years old

What is the primary function of the DSS43 antenna?

• To monitor weather patterns.

• To communicate with faraway spacecraft.

• To track satellites in Earth's orbit.

• To launch new spacecraft.

Which network is the DSS43 antenna a part of?

• NASA's Satellite Network

• The Global Positioning System

• NASA's Deep Space Network

• The International Space Station Network