How NASA's Voyager Program Got Its Start

The Voyager program was initiated as a Grand Tour of the Solar System, taking advantage of a unique planetary alignment in the late 70s. This alignment allowed spacecraft to visit multiple planets, including Jupiter and Saturn, and potentially Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. The program led to the creation of Voyager 1 and Voyager 2, which provided valuable insights into the outer planets, now known as the ice giants. The spacecraft have since moved into interstellar space, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.

What was the primary goal of the Voyager program?

• To conduct a Grand Tour of the Solar System

• To explore the inner planets

• To study the Sun

• To land on Mars

Why was the late 70s considered a golden opportunity for the Voyager mission?

• New technology was developed

• Funding was readily available

• A new type of fuel was discovered

• The planets were aligned on one side of the Sun

Which planets were initially targeted by the Voyager mission due to their alignment?

• Jupiter and Saturn

• Mars and Venus

• Uranus and Neptune

• Mercury and Earth

What are the outer planets explored by the Voyager spacecraft now commonly referred to as?

• Rocky planets

• Ice giants

• Dwarf planets

• Gas giants

Where have the Voyager spacecrafts moved beyond after their mission in the Solar System?

• The Oort cloud

• The asteroid belt

• The Kuiper belt

• Interstellar space