VOYAGER 1 AND VOYAGER 2
SPACECRAFT - SCI & TECH
News: "Hi, It's Me":
NASA's Voyager 1 Phones Home From 15 Billion Miles Away
What's in the news?
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Recently, NASA announced that its Voyager 1 probe
has resumed transmitting coherent data to ground control after a period of
transmitting unintelligible information.
Voyager 1 Spacecraft:
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It was launched by NASA on September 5, 1977,
Voyager 1 is the twin probe of Voyager 2.
Objective:
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To explore the outer
Solar System and beyond.
Features:
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Voyager 1
conducted flybys of Jupiter and Saturn to study their moons, rings, and
magnetic fields.
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It carries a golden record containing sounds and
images representing Earth's life and culture.
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It currently holds the record as the farthest
human-made object from Earth.
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Voyager 1 crossed the heliosphere, marking humanity's
first venture into interstellar space in August 2012.
Discoveries:
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Significant discoveries include a thin ring around
Jupiter and two new moons (Thebe and Metis), and five new moons at Saturn,
along with a new ring (G-ring).
Important Takeaways:
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NASA estimates Voyager 1's instruments will
continue operating until at least 2025.
Voyager 2 Spacecraft:
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It was also launched by NASA on August 20, 1977,
Voyager 2 is part of the Voyager program alongside Voyager 1.
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Voyager 2 is the second spacecraft to enter interstellar space.
Objective:
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To explore the outer planets of the solar system
and then embark on an interstellar journey.
Features:
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Similar to Voyager 1, it carries a golden record.
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Voyager 2 holds several firsts, including studying all four of the solar system's
giant planets up close.
Discoveries:
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Notable discoveries include a 14th moon at Jupiter,
10 new moons and two rings at Uranus, and five moons, four rings, and a "Great Dark Spot" at Neptune.