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The Voyager program is an American scientific program that employs two robotic interstellar probes, Voyager 1 and Voyager 2. The program was launched in 1977 to take advantage of a favorable alignment of the outer planets. The primary mission was the exploration of Jupiter and Saturn, but the mission was extended to include Uranus and Neptune. The Voyager spacecraft continue to send data to Earth as they travel through and beyond the heliosphere.

Spacecraft

The Voyager spacecraft were built by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and are identical in design. Each spacecraft carries a variety of scientific instruments to study the outer planets and their moons, as well as the interstellar medium. Key instruments include imaging systems, magnetometers, plasma detectors, and cosmic ray detectors.

Mission Objectives

The primary objectives of the Voyager program were to:

• Conduct close-up studies of Jupiter and Saturn, their atmospheres, magnetospheres, and moons.
• Investigate the rings of Saturn.
• Extend the mission to Uranus and Neptune if possible.
• Continue to study the outer reaches of the Solar System and beyond.

Key Discoveries

The Voyager program has made numerous significant discoveries, including:

• Detailed images and data on the Great Red Spot of Jupiter.
• Discovery of active volcanism on Io, one of Jupiter's moons.
• Detailed images of the rings of Saturn.
• Discovery of the Great Dark Spot on Neptune.
• Evidence of a subsurface ocean on Europa, another of Jupiter's moons.

Golden Record

Each Voyager spacecraft carries a Golden Record, a phonograph record that contains sounds and images selected to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth. The record is intended for any intelligent extraterrestrial life form or future humans who may find it.

Current Status

As of 2023, both Voyager spacecraft are still operational and continue to send data back to Earth. Voyager 1 is the farthest human-made object from Earth and has entered interstellar space. Voyager 2 is also on its way to interstellar space, having completed its planetary mission.

Related Pages

• Voyager 1
• Voyager 2
• Jet Propulsion Laboratory
• Jupiter
• Saturn
• Uranus
• Neptune
• Heliosphere
• Solar System
• Voyager Golden Record