What Are The Voyagers?

Found in Space: A Science Podcast for Kids and Teens

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• Introduction:

  • Podcast: Found In Space - Kids & Teens Science
  • Episode Title: Voyager Missions: Journey to the Stars
  • Host: Arwen Hubbard
  • Release Date: September 6, 2023
  • Summary: Arwen delves into the iconic Voyager missions, two spacecraft that have journeyed far beyond our solar system, providing insights into their remarkable voyage.

• 1. The Legendary Voyager Missions:

  • Introduction to the Voyager missions.
  • Their status as among the most famous space missions ever.
  • Active duration of 46 years in space as of September 2023.

• 2. NASA's Dual Mission Strategy:

  • NASA's approach to spacecraft design in the 1970s.
  • Building duplicate spacecraft for the same mission.
  • The example of the Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity.

• 3. Planetary Alignments and Mission Opportunities:

  • Solar system dynamics and planet positions.
  • Special planetary alignment in the 1970s for the Voyager missions.
  • A rare opportunity to visit multiple outer planets in a single mission.

• 4. Voyager Mission Targets:

  • Target planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
  • Remarkable discoveries, including Saturn's ring system and Enceladus geysers.
  • The original intention to explore Pluto.

• 5. Voyager 1 and Voyager 2: Different Paths:

  • Distinct mission trajectories of Voyager 1 and Voyager 2.
  • Voyager 1's trajectory towards interstellar space.
  • Voyager 2's encounters with Uranus and Neptune.

• 6. Pioneering Interstellar Exploration:

  • Voyager spacecraft's transition to studying the heliosphere.
  • The heliosphere as the region influenced by the Sun's magnetic field.
  • Crossing into interstellar space and clarifying "leaving the solar system."

• 7. Voyager's Golden Records: Messages to the Stars:

  • Inclusion of the Voyager Golden Records.
  • Features of the Golden Records, including music, greetings, and Earth's location.
  • The possibility of distant civilizations discovering the records.

• Conclusion:

  • The enduring mission of the Voyagers.
  • Reflecting on the profound idea of future civilizations encountering the spacecraft.
  • Gratitude to listeners for exploring space and science together.
  • Encouragement to submit questions or topics for future episodes.