NASA has finally succeeded in establishing contact with its long-standing Voyager 2, which was launched in 1977. The communication was reestablished after a long hiatus. The primary objective of NASA's Voyager 2 was to explore the outer planets. Meanwhile, the successor of Voyager 2, Voyager 1, is currently located 12.3 billion miles (19.9 billion km) away from Earth.
Understanding the Mission of NASA Voyager 2:
The main aim of Voyager 2 was to explore planets like Uranus and Neptune. Voyager 2 is the predecessor of Voyager 1, which has been in interstellar space since 2012.
Voyager 1 is approximately 15 billion miles from Earth, and now Voyager 2 has also joined its twin. NASA developed Voyager 2 in 1977. The primary objective of the spacecraft was to explore various planets and capture images, including those of the Moon. Voyager 2 has successfully visited and explored various significant planets, including Neptune and Uranus.
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However, after Voyager's flyby of Neptune in 1998, the spacecraft's route was changed. This alteration eventually directed it below the ecliptic plane, leading to its entry into interstellar space on November 5, 2018.
Meanwhile, both Voyager 1 and 2 carry a 12-inch, gold-plated copper disc featuring images and sounds taken from Earth. In addition to the photos and sounds, the disc contains instructions on how to play the recorded content. This disc, known as the 'Golden Records,' serves as a message to any possible alien visitors about the history of our planet.
Current Situation of NASA Voyager 2:
It is anticipated that after 2025, Voyager 2's power sources will run out, even if they continue transmitting useful scientific data. Consequently, they will drift silently through the Milky Way, serving as a quiet reminder of humanity's existence in the cosmos. In 1998, engineers also turned down the spacecraft's unnecessary equipment.
