Voyager 1 and its twin, Voyager 2, were initially introduced to conduct closeup studies of Jupiter and Saturn, Saturns rings, and the larger moons of the 2 worlds. After finishing these missions and more, Voyager 1 ended up being the first spacecraft to reach interstellar area and is now the farthest human-made item from Earth. The Voyager missions, released by NASA in 1977, consist of two spacecraft: Voyager 1 and Voyager 2.
This artists idea reveals NASAs Voyager spacecraft versus a field of stars in the darkness of space. The two Voyager spacecraft are taking a trip further and farther away from Earth, on a journey to interstellar area, and will ultimately circle the center of the Milky Way galaxy. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
The Voyager objectives, launched by NASA in 1977, include 2 spacecraft: Voyager 1 and Voyager 2. These missions were initially intended to study the outer worlds of our Solar System, particularly the gas giants Jupiter and Saturn. Both probes supplied extraordinary observations and information on these planets, their major moons, and their ring systems.
Voyager 2, in an extended objective, advanced to Uranus and Neptune, becoming the very first (and, to date, the only) spacecraft to go to these outer planets. Both Voyager 1 and 2 are geared up with the “Golden Records,” which carry images and noises picked to represent the variety of life on Earth for any extraterrestrial beings that may experience the probes.
Following their planetary missions, both spacecraft have continued to journey outward, sending out back information from the far reaches of our Solar System. As of September 5, 2023, Voyager 1, the most far-off human-made item from Earth, is 14.97 million miles away, and Voyager 2 is 12.44 million miles away.
The Voyager missions have actually substantially broadened our understanding of the Solar System and continue to return information, providing insights into the space environment outside of our planets protective bubble.
NASAs Voyager 1 spacecraft lifts off atop its Titan/Centaur -6 launch vehicle on September 5, 1977, from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, now Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, in Florida. Credit: NASA
On September 5, 1977, NASAs Voyager 1 spacecraft lifted off atop its Titan/Centaur -6 launch lorry from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, now Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, in Florida.
Voyager 1 and its twin, Voyager 2, were initially released to carry out closeup studies of Jupiter and Saturn, Saturns rings, and the bigger moons of the 2 worlds. After completing these objectives and more, Voyager 1 became the first spacecraft to reach interstellar space and is now the farthest human-made things from Earth. Scientists think it will reach the inner edge of the Oort Cloud in 300 years.
Follow along with Voyagers live objective status.