On August 4, 2023, NASA engineers managed to make contact with the Voyager 2 robotic probe even though previous estimates were that this would not be possible until October 15
Voyager 2
Voyager 2 and its twin Voyager 1 were launched into space in August and September 1977, respectively, 16 days apart from one another
The spacecraft's antenna shifted a mere 2%, but it was enough to cut communications
The interstellar traveler is gradually losing power, but a clever tweak means it can continue running all of its scientific instruments
"This test communication with Voyager 2 definitely tells us that things are on track with the work we're doing"
NASA engineers communicated with the spacecraft and were able to bring systems back online by 5 February
Voyager 1 had first made this historic crossing in 2012