Voyager 1 - NASA Science (2024)

Voyager 1’s closest encounter with Jupiter was at 12:05 UT March 5, 1979, at a range of about 174,000 miles (280,000 kilometers), following which it encountered several of Jupiter’s moons, including Amalthea (at a 261,100-mile or 420,200-kilometer range), Io (13,050 miles or 21,000 kilometers), Europa (45,830 miles or 733,760 kilometers), Ganymede (71,280 miles or 114,710 kilometers), and Callisto (78,540 miles or 126,400 kilometers), in that order, returning spectacular photos of their terrains and opening up completely new worlds for planetary scientists.

As a space exploration enthusiast with a deep-seated passion for the wonders of our solar system, I've dedicated a significant portion of my time delving into the intricate details of various space missions, including the historic encounter between Voyager 1 and Jupiter. My commitment to staying abreast of the latest developments in space exploration and my voracious appetite for knowledge make me well-equipped to discuss this monumental event.

The Voyager 1 mission, launched by NASA on September 5, 1977, marked a groundbreaking chapter in our exploration of the outer solar system. On March 5, 1979, at precisely 12:05 Universal Time (UT), Voyager 1 achieved its closest encounter with Jupiter, coming within a range of about 174,000 miles (280,000 kilometers). This pivotal moment provided a wealth of invaluable data and a series of breathtaking images that significantly contributed to our understanding of Jupiter and its moons.

Following this historic approach, Voyager 1 went on to capture mesmerizing images of several of Jupiter's moons at varying distances. Amalthea, Jupiter's third-closest moon, was documented at a range of approximately 261,100 miles (420,200 kilometers). The spacecraft then continued its journey, reaching Io at a distance of 13,050 miles (21,000 kilometers), Europa at 45,830 miles (733,760 kilometers), Ganymede at 71,280 miles (114,710 kilometers), and finally, Callisto at 78,540 miles (126,400 kilometers).

The sequence of encounters allowed Voyager 1 to transmit back to Earth a trove of spectacular photos showcasing the diverse terrains of these moons. These images not only captivated the public but also became invaluable tools for planetary scientists, enabling them to unravel the mysteries of these celestial bodies and paving the way for further exploration.

Voyager 1's mission has left an indelible mark on our understanding of the outer solar system, and its groundbreaking encounters with Jupiter and its moons continue to be a source of inspiration for space enthusiasts and scientists alike. The wealth of data collected during this mission has laid the foundation for subsequent explorations and has shaped our knowledge of the vast and awe-inspiring cosmos that extends beyond our home planet.

Voyager 1 - NASA Science (2024)

FAQs

What did NASA discover on Voyager 1? ›

Voyager 1 discovered a thin ring around Jupiter and two new Jovian moons: Thebe and Metis. At Saturn, Voyager 1 found five new moons and a new ring called the G-ring.

Does NASA still get data from Voyager 1? ›

The spacecraft has resumed gathering information about interstellar space. NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft is conducting normal science operations for the first time following a technical issue that arose in November 2023.

How did NASA fix Voyager 1? ›

How they fixed Voyager in the depths of space. With no way to fix the chip, the team instead split the code up so it could be stored elsewhere. Initially they focused on reacquiring the engineering data, sending an update to Voyager 1 on 18 April 2024.

What happens every 176 years in space? ›

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Alignment

Calculations reveal it is possible for a spacecraft launched in the late 1970s to visit all four giant outer planets, using the gravity of each planet to swing the spacecraft on to the next. This alignment occurs once every 176 years.

What was the last message on Voyager 1? ›

01001010111111100, the above sequence of 0s and 1s is the last message left to humanity by Voyager 1. This code cannot be decoded by any previously agreed encoding method. Even when the Voyager team tried to restart it, it still failed to return normal data.

How much longer will Voyager 1 last? ›

Voyager 1's extended mission is expected to continue to return science data until at least 2025, with a maximum lifespan of until 2030. Its radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) may supply enough electric power to return engineering data until 2036.

What mysterious data is Voyager 1 sending back? ›

Voyager 1's flight data system collects information from the spacecraft's science instruments and bundles it with engineering data that reflects its current health status. Mission control on Earth receives that data in binary code, or a series of ones and zeroes.

Will Voyager 1 ever leave our galaxy? ›

No. It never will. It will orbit the center of the Milky Way Galaxy until it collides with something or disintegrates. Disintegration though radiation and friction (even one atom per cubic centimeter adds up over billions of kilometers and millions of years) is actually the most likely fate.

Why did Voyager 1 stop transmitting? ›

The recent problem was related to one of the spacecraft's three onboard computers, which are responsible for packaging the science and engineering data before it is sent to Earth. Unable to repair a broken chip, the JPL team decided to move the corrupted code elsewhere, a tricky job considering the old technology.

Why hasn t Voyager 1 hit anything? ›

Voyager 1 could have been aimed on to Pluto, but exploration of Titan and the rings of Saturn was a primary scientific objective. This caused the trajectory to be diverted upward out of the ecliptic plane such that no further planetary encounters were possible for Voyager 1.

Why is Voyager 1 dying? ›

The readout confirmed to the NASA team that about 3% of the FDS memory had been corrupted, and that this was preventing the computer from carrying out its normal operations. Launched in 1977, Voyager 1 became the first human-made object to leave the solar system and enter interstellar space in 2012.

Is Voyager 2 still functioning? ›

Voyager 2 continues to operate normally. Launched over 46 years ago, the twin Voyager spacecraft are the longest-running and most distant spacecraft in history.

Is it true that 1 hour is 7 years in space? ›

The statement that one hour in space is equivalent to 7 years on Earth is not accurate. Time dilation, a concept from Einstein's theory of relativity, does affect time in space relative to different reference frames, but the effect is typically negligible for most space travel scenarios within our solar system.

How long would a human last in space? ›

How long can you survive in outer space? Without a space suit, you'd lose consciousness in about 15 seconds, die after 90 seconds and freeze solid within 12 to 26 hours.

What will happen in 2024 in space? ›

NASA plans to launch the Europa Clipper in October, which will study the Jovian moon Europa while in orbit around Jupiter. Hera will launch to Didymos asteroid to study the after effects of Double Asteroid Redirection Test. NASA's EscaPADE mission to Mars is also planned to launch this year.

What discoveries did Voyager 1 and 2 make? ›

Results of the Voyager missions
  • Discovery of 22 new satellites: 3 at Jupiter, 3 at Saturn, 10 at Uranus, 6 at Neptune.
  • Discovery of Jupiter's rings, and additional information about the rings of Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
  • Discovery of Uranian and Neptunian magnetospheres.

Has Voyager 1 lost contact? ›

Contact was never lost, rather it was like making a phone call where you cannot hear the person on the other end, a JPL spokeswoman said on Tuesday. Launched in 1977 to study Jupiter and Saturn, Voyager 1 has been exploring interstellar space — the space between star systems — since 2012.

Has Voyager 2 found anything? ›

Voyager 2 is the only spacecraft to study all four of the solar system's giant planets at close range. Voyager 2 discovered a 14th moon at Jupiter. Voyager 2 was the first human-made object to fly past Uranus. At Uranus, Voyager 2 discovered 10 new moons and two new rings.

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