voyager 1 Interstellar spacecraft since 1977

 

 voyager 1 since 1977

• Launch: Launched on 5 September 1977, 16 days after its twin, Voyager 2
• Mission: Study the outer solar system and interstellar space
• Accomplishments: First man-made object to cross the heliosphere and enter interstellar space
 

Real image of voyager1 spacecraft

Voyager 1 is a NASA space probe launched on September 5, 1977, as part of the Voyager program. This spacecraft was meant to explore Jupiter and Saturn, the outer planets of our 

solar system. To date, Voyager 1 is the most far-flung spacecraft ever constructed by humanityand continues to beam data back to Earth since it crossed the heliosphere.

Some key points about Voyager 1 include:

• Mission Objectives:

Main Mission: Investigate Jupiter and Saturn, their moons, rings, and magnetic fields.

Extended Mission: After all the planetary explorations had been completed, Voyager 1 was set to study outer and interstellar space within the solar system and beyond.

speed of voyager 1

Voyager 1 has since become the fastest and most distant man-made object in the Universe, travelling at around 61,500km/h 

Current Location:

As of 2024, Voyager 1 is over 14.5 billion miles (23.3 billion kilometers) from Earth, making it 

the farthest human-made object from our planet.

It crossed into interstellar space in August 2012, meaning it has left the bubble of particles and

 magnetic fields that surround our solar system, called the heliosphere.

Instruments:

• Voyager 1 is equipped with a suite of scientific instruments designed to measure the magnetic fields, cosmic rays, and plasma in space. Some of these instruments include the Plasma Wave System and the Cosmic Ray Subsystem.

• It also bears a Golden Record, a phonograph record containing sounds and images of Earth, meant as a message to possible extraterrestrial civilization

what inside of golden disk

The Golden Record aboard Voyager 1 (and also Voyager 2) is a phonograph record that contains a variety of information about Earth, meant as a message to potential extraterrestrial civilizations. The record was designed to be a time capsule, a snapshot of humanity in case it is discovered by other intelligent life forms in the distant future.

Purpose and Significance:

The Golden Record was a symbolic gesture meant to showcase Earth's culture, achievements, and diversity to any potential extraterrestrial civilization that might discover it. Although the likelihood of the record ever being found by intelligent alien life is extremely low, it remains one of the most ambitious and profound messages sent by humanity into the cosmos.

Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 have now traveled far beyond our solar system, carrying this interstellar message with them. The Golden Record thus continues its journey, silently bearing witness to the creativity and spirit of the human race.

Power and Communications:

• Power for Voyager 1 comes from radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs), converting the heat produced in the decaying radioactive elements into electricity. Its power output has slowly faded over time and had to switch off some instruments just to survive.

• It keeps reporting back to Earth, which only receives the signals one way in over 21 hours at the speed of light. When its power exhausts, it will be unable to send data back, probably in the following ten years.

key achivment

• Jupiter Flyby (1979): Voyager 1 took incredible images of Jupiter, including high-resolution views of the Great Red Spot and moon Io, which was first documented to have volcanic activity.

• Saturn Flyby (1980): It gave unprecedented views of Saturn's rings and its moon, especially Titan which is the largest moon of Saturn.

Future and Legacy:

•  Currently, Voyager 1 has the mission of measuring the environment of interstellar space. Continues to send valuable data concerning the magnetic fields, cosmic rays, and plasma of the region.
• Voyager 1 is going to keep working and be sending weak signals until probably around 2030 when all its power will not support the scientific instruments or communication.

pale blue dot

the last image of earth capture by voyager 1 justify as pale blue dot 

thats us