Voyager 1: The furthest man-made object from Earth.
Voyager 2: Continues to operate with extended mission life.
Deep Space Network: Critical for maintaining communication with the Voyagers.
Power Sources: RTGs provide power, but it is depleting.
Golden Record: Contains information about Earth for any potential finders.
Final Contact: Communication expected to cease within the next few years.
Voyager 1’s Journey: Launched in 1977, traveled past Jupiter and Saturn, now in interstellar space.
Voyager 2’s Journey: Launched in 1977, traveled past Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, now in interstellar space.
Distance and Communication: Currently 24 billion kilometers away (Voyager 1) and over 20 billion kilometers away (Voyager 2), signals take about 22 hours each way.
Power Issues: Powered by RTGs, which are depleting.
Backup Power for Voyager 2: Extending mission life by using backup power.
Iconic Image: Pale Blue Dot taken in 1990, inspired by Carl Sagan.
Future Prospects: Will continue to drift through space, carrying the golden record.
Final Contact: Communication expected to cease within the next few years.
Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecraft in deep space field. 3D illustration
Introduction
Voyager 1, launched on September 5, 1977, is the furthest man-made object from Earth, currently about 24 billion kilometers away. It continues to speed into deep space, far beyond the influence of our solar system. Despite its distance, NASA recently revived Voyager 1 after it went silent, bringing all its systems back online. This raises an important question: how much longer can we maintain contact with Voyager 1 before it finally runs out of power?
Additionally, Voyager 2, launched in 1977 as well, is over 12 billion miles (20 billion kilometers) from Earth. With five science instruments studying interstellar space, Voyager 2 has begun using a small reservoir of backup power to keep its instruments operational, potentially extending its mission until 2026 and beyond.
The Journey of Voyager 1 and Voyager 2
Voyager 1
Voyager 1 was launched to explore the outer planets of our solar system. It provided humanity with some of the most stunning images and invaluable data from Jupiter and Saturn before embarking on an endless journey into interstellar space.
2018: Crossed the heliopause, entering interstellar space.
Understanding the Distance
To truly grasp the distance Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 have traveled, let’s consider the astronomical unit (AU), the distance between Earth and the Sun, roughly 150 million kilometers. Voyager 1 is now approximately 163 AU from Earth, more than four times the distance from the Sun to Pluto. Voyager 2, at over 20 billion kilometers, is similarly far, though not as distant as Voyager 1.
Distance and Communication
At its current distance, radio signals take 22 hours and 36 minutes to reach Voyager 1 and the same amount of time to return. Voyager 2, slightly closer, still requires significant time for signal transmission. This immense distance means that communication with these spacecraft is a significant achievement, maintained through NASA’s Deep Space Network.
The Deep Space Network
NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN) consists of large radio antennas located in California, Australia, and Spain. These locations allow continuous communication with the Voyager spacecraft as the Earth rotates.
Transmitting Power: Voyager’s transmitter operates at just 20 watts, similar to a refrigerator light bulb.
Receiving Signals: The DSN’s massive 70-meter and 34-meter dishes can detect the faint signals sent from the Voyagers, capturing valuable data daily.
The Power Problem
Both Voyager spacecraft are powered by three radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs), which convert heat from plutonium decay into electricity. However, as the plutonium decays over time, the power output gradually decreases.
Power Conservation Measures
To extend their operational lives, NASA engineers have turned off non-essential systems and instruments, including heaters and redundant scientific instruments. Despite these efforts, the power levels will eventually drop too low to support critical systems, leading to Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 going dark forever.
“Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 will continue their journeys through space, but their voices will eventually fade. Their missions, however, will remain testaments to human curiosity and ingenuity.”
Voyager 2’s Backup Power
Voyager 2 has begun using a small reservoir of backup power, set aside as part of an onboard safety mechanism. This move will enable the mission to postpone shutting down a science instrument until 2026, rather than this year.
Implications for Voyager 2
Switching off a science instrument will not end the mission. After shutting off the one instrument in 2026, the probe will continue to operate four science instruments until the declining power supply requires another to be turned off. If Voyager 2 remains healthy, the engineering team anticipates the mission could potentially continue for years to come.
The Iconic Pale Blue Dot
On February 14, 1990, Voyager 1 took one of the most famous images in space exploration history. As it was leaving our solar system, Carl Sagan convinced NASA to turn Voyager around to take a final image of Earth. This image, known as the “Pale Blue Dot,” shows Earth as a tiny speck in a vast expanse of space.
“That’s here. That’s home. That’s us.” — Carl Sagan
Future Prospects
As Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 continue their journeys, they will eventually pass through the Oort Cloud, a region of icy bodies surrounding our solar system. This journey will take thousands of years, and the Voyagers will drift through space, carrying with them the golden record, a time capsule containing information about Earth and humanity.
The Golden Record
The golden record includes:
Sounds: Greetings in 55 languages, natural sounds, and music.
Images: Pictures of people, animals, and nature.
Information: Details about Earth’s location and human knowledge.
The Final Contact
While it is difficult to predict the exact moment we will lose contact with Voyager 1 and Voyager 2, it is certain that this day is approaching. The power levels of their RTGs are expected to drop below critical levels within the next few years, leading to the cessation of all communications.
Table 1: Key Events in Voyager 1’s Journey
Year
Event
1977
Launch from Earth
1979
Reached Jupiter
1980
Reached Saturn
1990
Pale Blue Dot image
2012
Entered interstellar space
Future
Expected loss of communication
Table 2: Voyager 2’s Journey and Power Sources
Year
Event
1977
Launch from Earth
1979
Reached Jupiter
1981
Reached Saturn
1986
Reached Uranus
1989
Reached Neptune
2018
Entered interstellar space
Future
Backup power extends mission
Conclusion
Voyager 1 and Voyager 2’s journeys are remarkable achievements in human space exploration. As they travel further into deep space, they carry with them the story of humanity, etched in the golden record. Though we will eventually lose contact with these spacecraft, their missions will continue, silently drifting through the cosmos, beacons of our existence and symbols of our quest for knowledge.
“The Voyagers have shown us that the universe is vast and our home is a tiny speck in the grand scheme of things. Their journeys inspire us to explore, to dream, and to reach for the stars.”
