Voyager In Space

 

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VOYAGER

Overview: Fundamental Technologies, LLC, provides data products for the Low Energy Charged Particle (LECP) instruments on the Voyager spacecrafts. The LECP instruments measure the intensity, energy spectra, composition, angular distributions, and spatial and temporal characteristics of ions and electrons that are encountered by the spacecrafts. Such particles are fundamental components of the interplanetary environment (through solar, galactic, and local acceleration processes) and of the space environments that surround the planets.

 

Mission Background: NASA's Voyager Program is a continuing scientific program that involves investigations done by both the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 probes. Originally planned to study only Saturn and Jupiter, Voyagers 1 and 2 are now tasked with investigating interstellar space. Voyager 2 became the only scientific probe to ever reach Uranus and Neptune, and after reaching the escape velocity of our solar system, Voyager 1 became the first man-made object to reach interstellar space. Voyager 1 is also the current furthest man-made object in history.

 

Scientific Payload: Voyagers 1 and 2 were created to be identical in function, both with ten instruments to conduct their investigations:

 

ACRONYM TYPE OF INVESTIGATION
ISS Imagery of Jupiter, Saturn, and other objects
RSS Physical properties of planets, satellites, and Saturn's rings
IRIS Global and local energy balance, and atmospheric compositions
UVS Atmospheric properties and radiation
MAG Magnetic fields of Jupiter/Saturn, and the interplanetary magnetic field
PLS Properties of plasma ions, and electrons from 5eV to 1keV
LECP Differential in fluxes, angular distribution of ions/electrons
CRS Properties and behavior of cosmic rays in the interplanetary medium
PRA Radio emissions from Jupiter/Saturn
PPS Surface texture, density, and composition of outer planets
PWS Electron-density profiles at Jupiter/Saturn

 

The LECP instrument consists of two distinct solid-state detector configurations:

 

Low-Energy Magnetosphere Particle
Analyzer (LEMPA)
10-15KeV energy thresholds and separation of ions from electrons
Low-Energy Particle Telescope (LEPT) Energy distributions and charge of medium/low energy nuclei

 

Along with their scientific instruments, Voyagers 1 and 2 each carry a "Golden Record" that contains sounds and imagery intended to show the diversity of life on Earth to any potential extraterrestrials or future humans that may find them.



Additional information at Fundamental Technologies, LLC:

Updated 8/9/19, Cameron Crane

VOYAGER 1 ELAPSED TIME

--:--:--:--
Days: Hours: Minutes: Seconds

*Since official launch
September 5, 1977, 12:56:00:00 UTC

VOYAGER 2 ELAPSED TIME

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Days: Hours: Minutes: Seconds

*Since official launch
August 20, 1977, 14:29:00:00 UTC

QUICK FACTS

Manufacturer: Voyagers 1 and 2 were built in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.

Mission Duration: 40+ years have elapsed for both Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 (both are ongoing).

Destination: Their original destinations were Saturn and Jupiter. Their current destination is interstellar space.