Voyager: Still Going

When these happened

23 dated records from 1965 to 2027. Each is drawn as wide as its date is certain — a band is a band because nobody knows the year, not because the drawing is imprecise.

23 shown · 23 dated · 0 cannot be placed on an axis · Approximate or contested. Draw a band and do not sharpen its edges.

In order23

1965Flandro identifies a four-planet gravity-assist opportunity
It happened, and the record is settled.
late 1970s launch window; recurs roughly every 175–176 yearsThe Grand Tour alignment
It happened, and the record is settled.
1972The full Grand Tour is cancelled and rebuilt as a two-spacecraft mission
It happened, and the record is settled.
1977-08-20Voyager 2 launches
It happened, and the record is settled.
1977-09-05Voyager 1 launches
It happened, and the record is settled.
1979-03-05Voyager 1 closest approach to Jupiter
It happened, and the record is settled.
1979-03-08Active volcanism found on Io
It happened, and the record is settled.
1979-07-09Voyager 2 closest approach to Jupiter
It happened, and the record is settled.
1980-11-12Voyager 1 passes Saturn and Titan, and leaves the plane of the planets
It happened, and the record is settled.
1981-08-25Voyager 2 passes Saturn and continues towards Uranus
It happened, and the record is settled.
1986-01-24Voyager 2 reaches Uranus — the only close encounter ever made
It happened, and the record is settled.
1989-08-25Voyager 2 passes Neptune and Triton, ending the planetary programme
It happened, and the record is settled.
1990-02-14Voyager 1 photographs the solar system from outside it
It happened, and the record is settled.
2004-12-16Voyager 1 crosses the termination shock at about 94 AU
It was measured or witnessed, with the observation cited.
2007-08-30Voyager 2 crosses the termination shock at about 84 AU
It was measured or witnessed, with the observation cited.
2012-08-25Voyager 1 crosses the heliopause at 121.6 AU
It was measured or witnessed, with the observation cited.
2013-09-12The 2012 crossing is confirmed from plasma oscillations
It was measured or witnessed, with the observation cited.
2018-11-05Voyager 2 crosses the heliopause at 119 AU
It was measured or witnessed, with the observation cited.
2025-02-25Voyager 1's cosmic ray subsystem is switched off
It happened, and the record is settled.
2025-03-24Voyager 2's low-energy charged particle instrument is switched off
It happened, and the record is settled.
2026 (announced plan)Voyager 1's low-energy charged particle instrument due for shutdowna declared target, not a prediction
A programme target or declared plan. NEVER a prediction.
2026-07-09The "Big Bang" power manoeuvre on Voyager 2
It happened, and the record is settled.
2026-11-18 02:16 PST (computed)Voyager 1 reaches one light-day from Eartha declared target, not a prediction
A programme target or declared plan. NEVER a prediction.