A single antenna in Canberra, Australia, is the only facility on Earth capable of communicating with Voyager 2, a space probe launched nearly 50 years ago. The probe is now over 19 billion kilometers from Earth, traveling far beyond the outer planets. The antenna, known as DSS-43, was built in the 1970s and is 70 meters in diameter. Its location in the southern hemisphere allows it to maintain a direct line of sight with Voyager 2, which has moved below the plane of the ecliptic—the imaginary flat disk in which most planets orbit the Sun. This unique positioning means only facilities in the southern hemisphere can communicate with the probe directly. NASA's Deep Space Network, which includes three large communication stations around the world, relies on DSS-43 for contact with Voyager 2. The signal sent by Voyager 2 is incredibly weak by the time it reaches Earth, measuring only a trillionth of a watt. This requires a large, powerful antenna like DSS-43 to detect and relay the signal back to mission control. In the early 2020s, DSS-43 was temporarily shut down for maintenance, leaving NASA unable to send commands to Voyager 2. During this time, the probe continued to send data back to Earth using smaller, less powerful antennas. However, NASA could not control the probe’s systems, which highlighted the critical role of DSS-43. A major technical problem during maintenance could have permanently disrupted communication with the probe. Today, every command sent to Voyager 2 must go through DSS-43. While NASA can still receive data from the probe without it, losing contact would prevent them from controlling its systems. The probe is powered by a radioisotope thermoelectric generator, which is gradually losing power. As energy levels decline, the risk of permanent damage increases if communication is interrupted. Maintaining contact with Voyager 2 is therefore crucial for ensuring its continued operation and the safety of its scientific instruments.