Voyager 1 Spacecraft is Reaching Solar System’s Outer Edge 33 years after launch
NASA says the long-running Voyager 1 spacecraft hurtling toward the edge of the solar system has reached another milestone
Nasa’s long-running Voyager 1 spacecraft is barreling its way toward the edge of the solar system.
Since 2004, the unmanned probe has been exploring a region of space where solar wind – a stream of charged particles spewing from the sun at 1 million miles per hour – slows abruptly and crashes into the thin gas between stars.
Scientists estimate it will take another four years before Voyager 1 completely exits the solar system and enters interstellar space.
Launched in 1977, the nuclear-powered Voyager 1 and its twin Voyager 2 toured Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, then kept going in different directions. Voyager 1 veered north while Voyager 2 headed south.
Hurtling at 38,000 mph, Voyager 1 is 10.8 billion miles from the sun. Voyager 2 is traveling slower at 35,000 mph and is 8.8 billion miles from the sun.
On February 17, 1998, Voyager 1 passed Pioneer 10 to become the most distant human-made object in space.
If you enjoyed this article, please share it.