Voyager 1: the story on HearLore

Planetary Flybys

The spacecraft began photographing Jupiter in January 1979. Its closest approach to the planet occurred on the 5th of March 1979 at a distance of about 348,890 kilometers from the center of mass. Engineers applied strips of kitchen-grade aluminum foil to certain cables shortly before launch to improve radiation shielding against intense belts around Jupiter. A major surprise emerged when data revealed ongoing volcanic activity on the moon Io. It was the first time active volcanoes had been seen on another body in the Solar System. Sulfur, oxygen, and sodium erupted by Io's volcanoes were detected at the outer edge of Jupiter's magnetosphere. The probe encountered Saturn in November 1980 with the closest approach occurring on the 12th of November 1980. It came within 184,300 kilometers of Saturn's cloud-tops. Images taken by Pioneer 11 in 1979 indicated Titan possessed a substantial atmosphere which increased interest in observing it further. The thick haze prevented any visual observation of the surface but measurements led to speculation that lakes of liquid hydrocarbons could exist there. Winds near Saturn's equator blew at speeds measured by the Voyagers.

When did Voyager 1 launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station?

Voyager 1 lifted off on the 5th of September 1977. The probe rode atop a Titan IIIE launch vehicle that experienced a critical failure during ignition.

What major discovery about Jupiter's moon Io did Voyager 1 make in 1979?

Data revealed ongoing volcanic activity on the moon Io which was the first time active volcanoes had been seen on another body in the Solar System. Sulfur, oxygen, and sodium erupted by these volcanoes were detected at the outer edge of Jupiter's magnetosphere.

How close did Voyager 1 get to Saturn during its closest approach in November 1980?

The spacecraft came within 184,300 kilometers of Saturn's cloud-tops on the 12th of November 1980. This encounter followed an initial orbit with an aphelion just short of Saturn's orbit.

Why did Voyager 1 begin transmitting unreadable data in November 2023?

Engineers traced the issue to the Flight Data Subsystem memory bank which likely wore out due to age or was struck by a high-energy particle. The system transmitted a repeating sequence of ones and zeros indicating it was stuck.

Who directed the creation of the gold-plated audio-visual disc aboard both Voyager probes?

The record was made under the direction of Carl Sagan and Timothy Ferris. It includes photos of Earth and its lifeforms along with spoken greetings from people such as Kurt Waldheim who served as Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Voyager 1.

Planetary Flybys

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