NASA’s Voyager 1 probe will take 300 more years to reach the farthest region of our solar system, currently traversing the void between stars.

NASA's Voyager 1 probe will take 300 more years to reach the farthest region of our solar system, currently traversing the void between stars.

Exploring the Unknown: Voyager 1 and Voyager 2’s Epic Journey Through Interstellar Space

Voyagers 1 and 2 are exploring the mysterious region between stars called interstellar space. NASA launched the twin probes in 1977 for a five-year mission to trek across the solar system.

Some 14.8 billion miles from Earth, Voyager 1 is cruising through the blackness of the interstellar medium, marking it as the farthest human-made object from our planet. Together with Voyager 2, launched within 16 days of each other in 1977, these intrepid spacecraft were initially designed for a five-year mission to study Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and their moons up close. However, nearly 46 years later, they have far surpassed their intended mission duration and are still going strong, earning the title of the farthest man-made objects from Earth.

The Voyager probes have made history by venturing beyond the boundary of our sun’s influence, known as the heliopause. They continue to send back valuable data from interstellar space, providing us with unprecedented insights into the unexplored regions beyond our own cosmic backyard.

A diagram showing both of NASA’s Voyager probes in interstellar space as of November 2018.

In a remarkable power-management effort, engineers have been powering down non-essential systems on board the Voyager probes to extend their operation through 2030. This strategic move, which includes disabling the science-instrument heaters, has successfully prolonged the lifespan of these spacecraft.

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Despite the eventual loss of communication with Earth when their instruments are shut down, the Voyagers will continue their cosmic drift through interstellar space. According to NASA, about 300 years from now, Voyager 1 will enter the Oort Cloud, a spherical band in the far reaches of our solar system. This vast region, full of frozen comets, extends far beyond Pluto’s orbit. The journey through the Oort Cloud is estimated to take another 30,000 years.

An illustration of the Kuiper Belt and Oort Cloud in relation to our solar system.

The Voyager probes are taking different paths as they venture deeper into space. With Voyager 2 currently 12.3 billion miles away from Earth, it is predicted to pass by Sirius, the brightest star in our night sky, in approximately 296,000 years. Voyager 1, on the other hand, is expected to reach AC+79 3888, a star in the constellation Camelopardalis, in about 40,000 years. As NASA aptly puts it, “The Voyagers are destined — perhaps eternally — to wander the Milky Way.”

Hubble Space Telescope image of Sirius, the brightest star in our nighttime sky.

Designed to study the outer solar system, the Voyager probes have surpassed all expectations. After completing their primary mission, these spacecraft embarked on a grand tour of our galaxy, capturing breathtaking cosmic views along the way. One such iconic image, known as the “Pale Blue Dot,” was taken by Voyager 1 on February 14, 1990, from almost 4 billion miles away – the farthest view of Earth ever captured by a spacecraft.

The iconic “Pale Blue Dot” image taken by Voyager 1 on February 14, 1990.

For the past decade, Voyager 1 has been exploring interstellar space, while Voyager 2 joined it in 2018, six years later. Their observations of the interstellar gas they encounter have revolutionized our understanding of this unexplored space beyond our cosmic backyard. Despite the occasional glitches, both spacecraft have continued to operate exceptionally well, continuously sending back valuable data that keeps scientists fascinated.

“It’s really remarkable that both spacecraft are still operating and operating well – little glitches, but operating extremely well and still sending back this valuable data,” said Suzanne Dodd, the project manager for the Voyager mission at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

The Voyager probes are a testament to human ingenuity, perseverance, and the boundless curiosity that drives us to explore the unknown. As they continue their eternal voyage through the Milky Way, their legacy remains an inspiration for future space missions and a reminder of our limitless potential in the cosmos.

*Note: All images are sourced from NASA.

• NASA
• Space
• Voyager