The Voyager Spacecraft

Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 were launched in 1977. They were built to fly past the outer planets. Both probes are still working today. They have traveled farther than any other spacecraft in history.

A Grand Tour

The Voyagers visited Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. They sent back the first close-up pictures of these giant planets. They also discovered new moons and rings. The photos amazed scientists back on Earth.

A model of the Voyager spacecraft that zoom through deep space.
A model of the Voyager spacecraft that zoom through deep space. (Fac-tory-o / Wikimedia Commons)

Into Deep Space

Both probes are now in interstellar space, beyond our solar system. Each one carries a golden record. The record has sounds and pictures from Earth. It is a message for any aliens who might find it.

Fun Facts

  • Voyager 1 is the farthest human-made object from Earth.
  • The golden record includes music, greetings, and animal sounds.
  • The probes are powered by a special type of battery that can last for decades.

Did You Know?

It would take over 70,000 years for Voyager 1 to reach the next closest star!