Voyager 1
and
Voyager 2
were designed to
complete a five-year mission to Jupiter and Saturn.
The spacecraft were so successful that the
mission was extended.
Voyager 1
flew deep into
space, while
Voyager 2
went on to fly by Uranus
and Neptune.
Voyager 2
was able to visit all four
planets because these planets were arranged
in a way that happens only about once every
175 years. The spacecraft could move from
planet to planet using each planet’s gravity and
orbit rather than using extra energy and fuel.
This strategy is known as gravity assist.
STEM Highlight
This illustration shows the
paths
Voyager 1
(
yellow
) and
Voyager 2
(
red
) took as they
flew through the solar system.
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