Far Out: Voyager 1 Might Be Over The Edge Into Deep Space
For the past decade, scientists have been waiting for the Voyager 1 spacecraft to cross into deep space. New research suggests it has left the solar system, but other scientists say it's still inside the sun's sphere of influence. (This piece initially aired Aug. 19, 2013, on Morning Edition.)
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Voyager 1 (Hover)
The Voyager 1 probe has become the first man-made object to enter interstellar space, NASA announced today.
Scientists report they have strong evidence that the unmanned spacecraft has crossed the magnetic boundary separating our solar system's sun, planets and solar wind from the rest of the galaxy. The announcement comes more than 36 years after the unmanned spacecraft lifted off on a journey that gave humans close-up views of Jupiter and Saturn before heading toward deep space. Ref. CNN
Those are exciting news. This spacecraft was launched in 1977 and is the first craft that has ever left the solar system.
Voyager 1 fires up thrusters after 37 years. A set of thrusters aboard the Voyager 1 spacecraft successfully fired up Wednesday after 37 years without use. Since 2014, engineers have noticed that the thrusters Voyager 1 has been using to orient the spacecraft, called "Attitude control thrusters," have been degrading. Source 7m.