backup of save?

[Chimbledon]

was trying to reset till the thing shot in one direction, accidentally reset game file without realizing and save file was gone
anyway to reset that or am i boned?

[Perseus]

There might be a backup of your original save file at “C:\Users\<username>\AppData\LocalLow\Mobius Digital\Outer Wilds\Backup”.
(Note : To try out the backup, you might need to deactivate Steam Cloud.)

Also, make backups before messing with save files!

[CyrusWindstrider]

It may be a bit of a non-answer, but anything you learn in game is something you learn of your own experience; the actual universe is the same, aside from the thing you are trying to have shot in one direction, each time. So if you don't mind refilling your log or exploring without the written reminders, your game is actually exactly the same (minus one discussion with Gabbro).