Short Wave Planning for a space mission to last more than 50 years
Nov 3, 2021
Nell Greenfieldboyce, an NPR science correspondent, dives into the ambitious proposal for a decades-long space mission. She examines the legacy of the Voyager probes, still transmitting after decades, and discusses what it would take to create a mission that spans generations. The conversation touches on the fascinating challenge of crafting messages for potential alien civilizations, envisioning new golden records filled with Earth's sounds. Greenfieldboyce vividly illustrates the complexities of leadership transitions and knowledge transfer for missions that outlast their creators.
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Voyager's Longevity
- Launched in 1977, the Voyager probes were designed to last five years.
- They continue to send data from beyond the solar system, exceeding expectations.
Leaving the Solar System
- Voyager 1 and 2 are now officially outside our solar system.
- They crossed the boundary of charged particles from the sun into the interstellar medium.
Voyager's Mission
- Voyager's primary mission was to explore Jupiter and Saturn.
- Reaching interstellar space was expected eventually but not the main goal.