Discover
/
Article

Launch of Voyager 2

AUG 20, 2018
The spacecraft remains the only one to explore Uranus and Neptune.
Physics Today
4445/pt-6-6-20180820a.jpg

On 20 August 1977, NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft launched aboard a Titan IIIE rocket from Cape Canaveral in Florida. Its sister probe, Voyager 1, was launched 16 days later. Voyager 2 would go on to explore the solar system’s four gas giants ; it is the only probe to fly by Uranus and Neptune. Today the probe is more than 17 billion kilometers away in the heliosheath , on the cusp of reaching interstellar space. (Photo credit: NASA)

Date in History: 20 August 1977

Related content
/
Article
/
Article
The availability of free translation software clinched the decision for the new policy. To some researchers, it’s anathema.
/
Article
The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will survey the sky for vestiges of the universe’s expansion.

Get PT in your inbox

pt_newsletter_card_blue.png
PT The Week in Physics

A collection of PT's content from the previous week delivered every Monday.

pt_newsletter_card_darkblue.png
PT New Issue Alert

Be notified about the new issue with links to highlights and the full TOC.

pt_newsletter_card_pink.png
PT Webinars & White Papers

The latest webinars, white papers and other informational resources.

By signing up you agree to allow AIP to send you email newsletters. You further agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.