Voyager mission’s fast facts

via voyager.jpl.nasa.gov

Voyager 2 launched on August 20, 1977, from Cape Canaveral, Florida aboard a Titan-Centaur rocket. On September 5, Voyager 1 launched, also from Cape Canaveral aboard a Titan-Centaur rocket. Between them, Voyager 1 and 2 explored all the giant planets of our outer solar system, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune; 48 of their moons; and the unique system of rings and magnetic fields those planets possess.

• Closest approach to Jupiter occurred on March 5, 1979 for Voyager 1; July 9, 1979 for Voyager 2.
• Closest approach to Saturn occurred on November 12, 1980 for Voyager 1; August 25, 1981 for Voyager 2.
• Closest approach to Uranus occurred on January 24, 1986 by Voyager 2.
• Closest approach to Neptune occurred on August 25, 1989 by Voyager 2.

On February 17, 1998, Voyager 1 passed Pioneer 10 to become the most distant human-made object in space.

Both Voyager spacecraftscarry a greeting to any form of life, should that be encountered. The message is carried by a phonograph record – a 12-inch gold-plated copper disk containing sounds and images selected to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth.

• Voyager 1 is escaping the solar system at a speed of about 3.6 AU per year.
• Voyager 2 is escaping the solar system at a speed of about 3.3 AU per year.