Voyager 1 and 2

NASA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

• Voyager 2, launched 08-21-1977, and Voyager 1, launched 09-06-1977, animated 50 years (592 KB) 

  • Plot of Voyager 1 and 2 from 8-1-1977 to 175 AU (246 KB)

  • Plot of Voyager 1 and 2 now, March 7, 2025 (Large File: 4.5 MB)

  • Plot of Voyager 1 and 2 when Voyager 1 crossed the heliopause into interstellar space on August 25, 2012 (Very Large File: 38.7 MB)

  • Plot of Voyager 1 and 2 when the "Pale Blue Dot" photo of Earth was taken on February 14, 1990 (Large File: 4.5 MB)

Voyager Missions (NASA and Wikipedia)

• Latest news: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasa-turns-off-two-voyager-science-instruments-to-extend-mission/

Voyager 1 (NASA and Wikipedia): The farthest human-made object from Earth, exploring interstellar space. Voyager 1 is a space probe that was launched by NASA on September 5, 1977, to study the outer Solar System and interstellar space. It is the farthest human-made object from Earth, at a distance of 166.33 AU (24.88 billion km; 23.06 light-hours) as of March 7, 2025. 

• Here are some key dates in the Voyager 1 mission:

  • September 5, 1977, launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

  • March 5, 1979, reaches Jupiter.

  • November 12, 1980, reaches Saturn.

  • February 14, 1990, takes the "Pale Blue Dot" photograph of Earth from a distance of 6.04 billion kilometers (40.36 AU, 5.59 light-hours).

  • February 17, 1998, overtakes Pioneer 10 to become the most distant human-made object from Earth.

  • August 25, 2012, crosses the heliopause (121.60 AU, 18.19 billion kilometers or 16.86 light-hours) and enters interstellar space, becoming the first spacecraft to do so.

• Voyager 1 is still operational and continues to send data back to Earth. It is expected to continue operating until at least 2025, when its radioisotope thermoelectric generators will no longer be able to provide enough power to operate its scientific instruments.

• Voyager 1 mission was the first spacecraft to visit Jupiter and Saturn. It discovered active volcanoes on Jupiter's moon Io. It revealed the complexity of Saturn's rings. It was the first spacecraft to cross the heliopause and enter interstellar space. It is the farthest human-made object from Earth. It is a testament to the ingenuity and perseverance of the scientists and engineers who designed, built, and operate it.

Voyager 2 (NASA and Wikipedia): The only spacecraft to visit all four gas giants: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Voyager 2 is at a distance of 139.18 AU (20.81 billion kilometers or 19.28 light-hours) as of March 7, 2025.