Where is the Voyager 2 Now? How Voyager 2 is Still Active in Deep Space 45 Years After its Launch

On August 20th, 1977 at 14:29:00 UTC, the Voyager 2 spacecraft was launched atop the Titan IIIE space rocket as a part of the Voyager space program. NASA’s primary goal for this launch was to study the distant outer planetary systems and the interstellar space in the region beyond the Sun’s Heliosphere. Today marks 45 years after the launch of this Sophisticated spacecraft. But where is the voyager 2 now? Can we access it from billions of miles away? Continue reading to find out.

Where is the Voyager 2 Now?

45 years after the launch of the Voyager 2 space probe, the sophisticated spacecraft is still active and returning data from billions of miles away in deep space. After its launch in 1977, the spacecraft accomplished its primary mission by exploring the Jovian system in 1979.

It later visited the Saturn system in 1981. From here, it made its way to the Uranian system in 1986 before reaching the Neptunian system in 1989. The space probe traveled for decades before finally making its way out of the solar system and embracing interstellar Space on November 5, 2018.

Voyager 2 arrived in interstellar space at a distance of 11.3 billion miles, (122 AU, 18.3 Billion KM). Scientists estimated this great distance to be approximately 16:58 light hours away from the sun. Keep in mind that Voyager 1, which is a twin space probe in the Voyager program already reached interstellar space in 2012.

When Voyager 2 left the Sun’s Heliosphere in 2018, traveling at 34,320 mph, it became the second manmade object to reach interstellar space. The spacecraft explored the interstellar medium to accomplish its primary goal. As soon as it arrived in interstellar space, it studied interstellar space and estimated the first direct measurements of the temperature and density.

Ever since the Voyager was launched, it has remained in close contact with Earth. This communication was made possible via the NASA Deep Space Network. However, in March 2020, the need for maintenance of the Deep Space Network arose.

Hence, NASA has to excommunicate the probe for eight months to ensure that nothing stops the maintenance routine. On November 2, 2020, NASA reestablished communication with Voyager 2 by giving it a set of instructions. The space probe executed the given instruction carefully and NASA achieved success from this first contact with the space probe, eight months after cutting off contact with it.

After this communication test, the maintenance routine was continued. During this period, NASA upgraded the major antennas to ensure that communication between Earth and Voyager 2 was significantly improved. After a series of maintenance was officially completed, NASA restored full communication with the space probe on February 12, 2021. The DSS 43 communication antenna that helps in establishing communication with the Voyager 2 is located close to Canberra, Australia.

where are the voyagers now?

The Voyagers are currently exploring Interstellar Space. The good news is that they have remained in active communication with earth. As of August 20, 2022, the Voyager 2 has been active for 45 years. It has also covered a distance of 12.093 billion miles (19.461 billion km, 130.09 AU) away from the earth. The Voyager 2 may still perform actively for years before it stops transmitting signals from deep space to earth.

Conclusion

As we celebrate 45 years of launching the Voyager 2 spacecraft, the entire world is fascinated with the milestone the space probe has reached. We are still expecting the space probe to improve our knowledge of interstellar space before stops operation. What do you love about the Voyager 2 space probe?