Voyager 1 was able to reestablish contact with NASA. In the end, NASA discovered that Voyager 1 was using a second radio transmitter that was referred to as the S-band.
This particular radio frequency has not been used for communication with Earth since 1981. The signal is substantially weaker, and it runs on a frequency that is different from the standard.
According to what Tony Greicius of NASA said on the Voyager Blog, “It uses a different frequency than the X-band transmitters signal, which is significantly fainter.”
Due to the distance between the spacecraft and Earth, the flight crew was uncertain whether or not the S-band could be detected at Earth.
However, experts working with the Deep Space Network were able to locate it throughout the mission.
In a fortunate turn of events, the Deep Space Network was able to find the S-band signal, and on October 22 they transmitted an order to ensure that it was operational.
At this time, they have established that the S-band transmitter is functioning properly, and they are now trying to bring the spacecraft back to its usual activities.
