How did Voyager 1 and 2 leave the giant planets behind?
Quick Answer
Each Voyager used carefully timed planetary flybys to bend its route to the next world. Those gravity assists let the twin probes visit multiple outer planets in one mission.
The Full Story
Voyager 2 launched in 1977 and Voyager 1 followed later that year, both taking advantage of a rare outer-planet alignment. The missions were planned so that each probe could use gravity assists from Jupiter and Saturn, and Voyager 2 went on to visit Uranus and Neptune as well. These flybys changed the probes’ speeds and directions without large fuel costs. The Voyager mission transformed planetary science and remains one of the most famous examples of interplanetary navigation.
Key Facts
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"The mission that toured the outer Solar System with one clever trick"
Was this answer helpful?
Tap a reaction — it helps us pick what to cover next.