In 2012, Voyager 1 became the first artificial object to successfully reach interstellar space. By the end of 2018, Voyager 2 followed in Voyager 1’s footsteps, achieving this remarkable milestone.
NASA previously stated that the Voyager spacecraft “are destined – perhaps forever – to wander through the Milky Way.“
Launched 45 years ago, NASA has now decided to reduce power on the spacecraft to extend their operational lives for several more years, until around 2030. Initial predictions suggested that the Voyager mission would last only 4 years.
The original purpose of the two “sibling” Voyager spacecraft was to explore Jupiter and Saturn, which they accomplished in two years. However, they continued to be utilized for various other purposes, venturing deeper into space and sending back images of our Solar System from afar.
For over 40 years, both Voyager 1 and 2 have continuously transmitted astonishing discoveries back to Earth. The data obtained from the instruments aboard Voyager 1 and 2 revealed that the planets in our Solar System possess breathtaking beauty.
A Voyager spacecraft captured this recreated color image of Saturn’s rings on August 23, 1981.
Neptune, as seen by Voyager 2 in 1989.
NASA used three images from Voyager 2, taken through ultraviolet, violet, and green filters, to create this image of Saturn.
The images of Miranda, a moon of Uranus, captured by Voyager revealed a complex geological past on this moon.
Triton, Neptune’s moon, as seen by Voyager 2 in 1989.
Jupiter and its two moons.
An image of Jupiter’s rings, discovered by the Voyager spacecraft.
Pale Blue Dot is a photograph of Earth taken in 1990 by Voyager 1 from a distance, showing the contrast with the vastness of space. At the request of Carl Sagan, NASA commanded Voyager 1, which had completed its primary mission and was leaving the Solar System, to turn around and take a picture of Earth amidst the vastness of space. The title of this photograph was later used by Sagan in the title of his 1994 book, Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space. In 2001, the photograph was selected by Space.com as one of the top 10 science images.
Volcanic activity on the surface of Io – one of Jupiter’s moons. Io is the innermost of the four Galilean moons of Jupiter, and with a diameter of 3,642 km, it is the fourth largest moon in the Solar System. It is named after Io, a priestess of Hera who later became the lover of Zeus.
Neptune’s ring system – consisting of five main rings, was explored by Voyager 2 in 1989. The rings are named after astronomers who made significant contributions to planetary research: Galle, Le Verrier, Lassell, Arago, and Adams.
Neptune, as seen by Voyager 2 in 1989. Here, red or white indicates sunlight passing through the methane-rich atmosphere.
Enceladus, one of Saturn’s moons, as seen by Voyager.
Voyager 2 captured these images with true color (left) and false color (right) of Neptune in 1986.
Saturn, November 16, 1980.
After 2030, the two “sibling” Voyager spacecraft may lose contact with Earth, but both probes carry gold-plated data discs containing information from Earth – including 115 images, greetings in 55 different languages, sounds of wind, rain, human heartbeat, and 90 minutes of music.
| NASA launched Voyager 1 on September 5, 1977, 16 days after launching its twin spacecraft, Voyager 2. Voyager 1 studied Jupiter and Saturn, while Voyager 2 explored Uranus and Neptune. Currently, Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 are located 152 and 127 AU from Earth, respectively. Unlike Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11, which ceased operation years ago, the Voyager duo continues to exist. At this moment, both Pioneer and Voyager are not near New Horizons. The closest probe to it is NASA’s Juno spacecraft. |
