TABLE OF CONTENT

Page number

1. Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………. 02

2. Abstract………………………………………………………………………………………….... 02

3. Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………… 03

3.1 Aims ……………………………………………………………………………................ 03

3.2 Objectives………………………………………………………………………… 03

3.3 Voyager-2 Spacecraft…………………………………………………………… 04

3.4 Figure of Voyager-2……………………………………………………………… 05

3.5 Voyager-2 Discoveries………………………………………………………….. 07

3.6 Voyager-2 Interstellar Mission………………………………………………… 08

3.7 Challenges & Opportunities…………………………………………………… 08

4. Literature Review……………………………………………………………………………... 10

4.1 Books. …………………………………………………………………………………… 10

4.2 Journals………………………………………………………………………………….. 11

4.3 Conference Papers…………………………………………………………................ 11

5. Methods……………………………………………………………………………………………. 12

6. Data………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 13

7. Discussion……………………………………………………………………………………….. 15

8. Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………. 16

9. Reference List………………………………………………………………………………….. 16

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 Title : Technical Report Writing on “Voyager-2”

1.Introduction :
The technical report presents a comprehensive overview of the Voyager-2
spacecraft mission, a ground-breaking interplanetary exploration initiative
launched by NASA in 1977. The Voyager-2 mission aimed to explore the outer
planets of our solar system and provide valuable insights into their composition,
atmosphere and magnetic field. The report delves into the spacecraft's design,
instruments and mission objectives, highlighting its critical contributions to our
understanding of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus & Neptune. The report concludes with a
sumary of the valuable data transmitted back to earth, shaping our knowledge of
the outer planets and beyond. Through this analysis, Voyager-2 stands as an
enduring testament to human ingenuity and exploration in the vast cosmos.

2.Abstract :
Voyager 2 is a NASA spacecraft that was launched in 1977 to explore the outer
solar system. It is the only spacecraft to have visited all four giant planets: Jupiter,
Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. It also discovered many of their moons and rings.
Voyager 2 entered interstellar space in 2018, joining its twin Voyager 1 as the most
distant human-made objects in the universe. This report provides an overview of
the Voyager-2 mission, its history, achievements, and current status. It analyzes the
scientific data and discoveries made by Voyager-2 in the outer solar system and
interstellar space. It also evaluates the challenges and opportunities of the Voyager
Interstellar Mission (VIM) and its implications for future exploration.

3.Introduction :

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3.1 Aims :
I chose Voyager-2 as the topic of my report because of its remarkable significance
in the field of space exploration. Voyager-2's interplanetary journey has been a
testimony to human ingenuity and curiosity, travelling vast distances and
providing us with valuable insights into the outer solar system and beyond. Its
scientific discoveries and contributions have expanded our understanding of
distant planets, their moons and the heliosphere. It has also shown us the
diversity and beauty of our solar system and beyond. It has also inspired
generations of scientists, engineers and explorers to pursue their dreams and
questions. By exploring Voyager-2 and its missions, i hope to gain a deeper
appreciation for the wonders of space and the lasting impact that such ambitious
exploration missions can have on our knowledge and future space exploration
endeavors.

3.2 Objectives :
The main objectives of this report are:

 To summarize the main features and instruments of the Voyager 2 spacecraft

and its launch and trajectory.
 To describe the encounters and observations of Voyager 2 at Jupiter, Saturn,
Uranus, and Neptune, and their moons and rings.
 To explain the transition of Voyager 2 from the heliosphere to the interstellar
medium and the measurements of the plasma, magnetic fields, cosmic rays,
and dust particles in this region.
 To discuss the technical issues and solutions for maintaining communication
and operation of Voyager 2 as it travels farther from Earth.
 To identify the scientific questions and goals that Voyager 2 can address in
its extended mission beyond the solar system.

3.3 Voyager 2 Spacecraft :

Voyager 2 is a 722 kg spacecraft that carries a suite of 11 scientific instruments for
measuring various physical properties of the space environment. The instruments
include:

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  Magnetic Field Experiment (MAG): A dual-sensor magnetometer that
measures the strength and direction of the magnetic fields in space.
 Plasma Experiment (PLS): A Faraday cup that measures the density,
temperature, velocity, and composition of the solar wind plasma.
 Low Energy Charged Particle Experiment (LECP): A detector that
measures the energy spectra and angular distributions of low-energy
electrons and ions in space.
 Cosmic Ray Experiment (CRS): A detector that measures the energy
spectra and composition of high-energy cosmic rays in space.
 Plasma Wave Experiment (PWS): A receiver that measures the electric and
magnetic fields associated with plasma waves in space.
 Planetary Radio Astronomy Experiment (PRA): A receiver that measures
the radio emissions from planets and their satellites.
 Photopolarimeter Experiment (PPS): A telescope that measures the
polarization and intensity of light from planets, moons, rings, and stars.
 Infrared Interferometer Spectrometer (IRIS): A spectrometer that
measures the infrared radiation from planets, moons, rings, and comets.
 Ultraviolet Spectrometer (UVS): A spectrometer that measures the
ultraviolet radiation from planets, moons, rings, comets, and stars.
 Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS): A pair of cameras that take images of
planets, moons, rings, comets, asteroids, and stars.
 Radio Science System (RSS): A subsystem that uses radio signals to study
the physical properties and environments of planets, moons, rings, comets,
and stars.

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 3.4 Fig.1: Voyager-2 & Its Instruments

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Voyager 2 also carries a golden record that contains sounds and images
representing life and culture on Earth. The record is intended as a message for any
extraterrestrial intelligence that may encounter the spacecraft in the future.
Voyager 2 was launched on August 20, 1977 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It
followed a trajectory that took advantage of a rare alignment of the outer planets
that allowed it to visit all four of them with minimal fuel consumption. The
trajectory also enabled Voyager 2 to perform gravity assist maneuvers at each
planet to increase its speed and change its direction. The following table
summarizes the dates and distances of Voyager 2’s planetary encounters:

Planet Date Distance

Jupiter July 9,1979 570,000 km
Saturn August 25,1981 101,000 km
Uranus January 24 ,1986 81,500 km
Neptune August 25, 1989 4950 km

As of April 2023, Voyager 2 is about 22.5 billion km away from Earth. It is

traveling at a speed of about 15.4 km/s relative to the Sun. It is expected to remain
operational until at least 2025, when its radioisotope thermoelectric generators
(RTGs) will no longer provide enough power for its instruments and transmitter.

3.5 Voyager-2 Discoveries : Voyager 2 has made numerous discoveries and

observations during its journey through the outer solar system and interstellar
space. Some of the most notable ones are:

 Jupiter: Voyager 2 observed the Great Red Spot, a giant storm that has been
raging on Jupiter for centuries. It also discovered three new moons: Adrastea,
Metis, and Thebe. It also detected lightning and auroras in Jupiter’s
atmosphere.
 Saturn: Voyager 2 revealed the complex structure and dynamics of Saturn’s
rings. It also discovered six new moons: Atlas, Prometheus, Pandora,

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 Epimetheus, Janus, and Telesto. It also observed the hexagonal cloud pattern
at Saturn’s north pole.
 Uranus: Voyager 2 was the first and only spacecraft to visit Uranus, the
seventh planet from the Sun. It discovered 10 new moons: Cordelia, Ophelia,
Bianca, Cressida, Desdemona, Juliet, Portia, Rosalind, Belinda, and Puck. It
also discovered two new rings: the epsilon ring and the 1986U2R ring. It also
measured the extreme tilt of Uranus’s axis, which causes extreme seasons on
the planet.
 Neptune: Voyager 2 was the first and only spacecraft to visit Neptune, the
eighth and farthest planet from the Sun. It discovered six new moons: Naiad,
Thalassa, Despina, Galatea, Larissa, and Proteus. It also discovered four new
rings: the Galle ring, the Le Verrier ring, the Lasselle ring, and the Arago
ring. It also observed the Great Dark Spot, a giant storm that disappeared in
later observations by the Hubble Space Telescope.
 Interstellar Space: Voyager 2 crossed the termination shock in 2007, where
the solar wind slows down due to the pressure of the interstellar medium. It
crossed the heliopause in 2018, where the solar wind ends and the interstellar
medium begins. It is now in the interstellar space, where it is measuring the
properties of the plasma, magnetic fields, cosmic rays, and dust particles in
this region.

3.6 Voyager-2 Interstellar Mission :

Voyager 2 is currently part of the Voyager Interstellar Mission (VIM), which is an
extension of its original mission to explore beyond the solar system. The main
goals of VIM are:

 To measure the physical properties of interstellar space.

 To search for the heliospheres boundary.
 To investigate the origin and evolution of cosmic rays.
 To study the distribution and composition of interstellar dust.
 To search for extra-terrestrial intelligence.

3.7 Challenges and Opportunities :

Voyager 2 faces several challenges and opportunities in its extended mission.

Some of them are:

 Communication: Voyager 2 communicates with Earth using a 3.7-meter

diameter high-gain antenna. The antenna has to be pointed precisely at Earth
to receive commands and send data. However, as Voyager 2 moves farther
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 away from Earth, the signal strength decreases and the transmission time
increases. Currently, it takes about 16 hours for a signal to travel between
Earth and Voyager 2. The communication is also affected by interference
from other sources such as planets and stars. Moreover, there are only a few
ground stations that can communicate with Voyager 2 using a special
frequency band called S-band. These stations are part of NASA’s Deep
Space Network (DSN), which is also used by other missions. Therefore,
Voyager 2 has to compete for time slots with other spacecrafts to
communicate with Earth.
 Power: Voyager 2 relies on RTG(Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator) to
generate electricity from the decay of plutonium-238. The power output of
RTGs decreases over time. As a result, Voyager 2 has to turn off some of its
instruments and heaters to conserve power. By 2025, it will not have enough
power to operate any instrument or transmitter.

RTG Inner Heat Source RTG Assembly

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 RTG Unit

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  Navigation: Voyager 2 uses a star tracker and a sun sensor to determine its
orientation in space. The star tracker identifies stars from a catalog stored in
its memory. The sun sensor detects the position of the Sun relative to the
spacecraft. However, as Voyager 2 moves farther away from the Sun, it
becomes harder to detect it with the sun sensor. Moreover, some of the stars
in its catalogue may have changed their positions or brightness over time.

4.Literature Review :
There are many books, journals & conference papers that cover various aspects of
the historic mission.

Some of these are :-

4.1 Books:

 “Voyager: Seeking Newer Worlds in the Third Great Age of Discovery" by

Stephen J. Pyne.
 "Voyager 1 & 2: Atlas of Six Saturnian Satellites" by Raymond M. Batson.
 "Voyager Encounters Uranus" by Ellis D. Miner.
 “Voyager-2 : Tales of the Planetary and Stellar Adventures” by Michael
Meltzer.
 “The Voyager Neptune Travel Guide” by the Jet Propulsion
Laboratory(JPL).
 "The Interstellar Age: Inside the Forty-Year Voyager Mission" by Jim Bell.
 "Voyager's Grand Tour: To the Outer Planets and Beyond" by Henry C.
Dethloff.

4.2 Journals and Papers :

 "The Voyager 2 Encounter with the Neptunian System" - Science, Vol. 246,
No. 4936 (1989).
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  "Voyager 2 Imaging of Neptune" - Science, Vol. 246, No. 4936 (1989)
 "Voyager 2 Encounter with the Saturnian System" - Science, Vol. 215, No.
4532 (1982).
 "Magnetic Field Measurements at Uranus by Voyager 2" - Journal of
Geophysical Research, Vol. 92, No. A13 (1987).
 "Voyager 2 at Neptune: Imaging Science Results" - Science, Vol. 246, No.
4936 (1989).
 Journal of Geophysical Research : Space Physics.
 Icarus.

4.3 Conference Papers :

 “Voyager 2 at Uranus: Overview of Scientific Results" - Presented at the

American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting (1987).
 "Voyager 2 at Neptune: Imaging Science Results" - Presented at the
American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting (1989).
 "Voyager 2 Encounter with Uranus: Preliminary Results" - Presented at the
Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (1986).
 "The Voyager Neptune Traveling Exhibition" - Presented at the American
Astronomical Society (AAS) Meeting (1989).
 “Voyager Mission Status & Updates”- Presented at the American
Astronomical Society(AAS) Meeting.
 “Exploring the Outer Solar System : Voyager-2 at Neptune” -Presented at
the International Astronomical Union(IAU) General Assembly.
 “Interstellar Exploration with Voyager-2”- Presented at the International
Space Development Conference (ISDC).

5.Methods :
Voyager-2 was built by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory(JPL) using various
equipments & technologies. The main steps involved in building Voyager-2 are :-

 Designing the spacecraft and its instruments to withstand the harsh

environment of space and the different conditions of each planet. The
spacecraft was constructed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and
included 16 hydrazine thrusters, three-axis stabilization, gyroscopes, and

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 celestial referencing instruments to maintain pointing of the high-gain
antenna toward Earth.
 Developing a launch vehicle and a trajectory that would allow the spacecraft
to take advantage of a rare planetary alignment that occurs only once every
175 years. The launch vehicle was a Titan IIIE-Centaur rocket that lifted off
from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on August 20, 1977. The trajectory was
designed to use gravity assist maneuvers from each planet to increase the
speed and change the direction of the spacecraft.
 Testing and calibrating the spacecraft and its instruments before and after
launch. The spacecraft underwent extensive testing on Earth to ensure its
functionality and reliability. After launch, the spacecraft performed several
course corrections and instrument checkouts to prepare for its encounters
with the planets.
 Operating and communicating with the spacecraft during its mission. The
spacecraft is controlled by commands sent from Earth through the Deep
Space Network (DSN), a network of antennas located around the world. The
spacecraft also sends back data and images from its instruments to Earth
through the same network. The communication time between Earth and the
spacecraft varies depending on their distance, but it can take up to 20 hours
one way.
 Analyzing and interpreting the data and images collected by the spacecraft.
The data and images from Voyager 2 have provided unprecedented insights
into the structure, atmosphere, magnetosphere, rings, moons, and weather of
the outer planets.

Nation United States of America (USA).

Objectives Jupiter Flyby, Saturn Flyby, Uranus Flyby & Neptune

Flyby .
Spacecraft Voyager -2

Spacecraft Mass 721.9 kg (1592 lb)

Power 470 WATTS (at launch)

Mission design and management NASA /JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory)

Launch vehicle Titan iii E- Centaur (TC- 7/ Titan no. 23E-7 /CENTAUR
D -1T)

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 Launch date and time August 20 ,1977/ 14 :29:44 UTC.

Mission type Planetary Exploration

COSPAR ID 1977 – 076A

SATCAT NO. 10271

Launch site Cape Canaveral, Fla./Launch Complex 41.

Mission Duration 46 years ,7 days elapsed.

Planetary mission :12 years,1 month ,12 days;
Interstellar mission : 33 years ,10 months ,26 days
elapsed.
1. Imaging Science System (ISS)
2. Ultraviolet Spectrometer (UVS)
3. Infrared Interferometer Spectrometer (IRIS)
4. Planetary Radio Astronomy Experiment (PRA)
5. Photopolarimeter (PPS)
Scientific Instruments 6. Triaxial Fluxgate Magnetometer (MAG)
7. Plasma Spectrometer (PLS)
8. Low-Energy Charged Particles Experiment (LECP)
9. Plasma Waves Experiment (PWS)
10. Cosmic Ray Telescope (CRS)
11. Radio Science System (RSS)

6.Data :
Flyby of Jupiter
Closest approach July 9, 1979
Distance 570,000 km (350,000 mi)

Flyby of Saturn
Closest Approach August 26, 1981
Distance 101,000 km (63,000 mi )

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 Flyby of Uranus
Closest Approach January 24, 1986
Distance 81,500 km (50,600 mi)

Flyby of Neptune
Closest Approach August 25 ,1989
Distance 4951 km (3076 mi)

Keydates :
Aug 20, 1977: Launch.
July 9, 1979 :Jupiter Flyby.
Aug 26,1981:Saturn Flyby.
Jan 24, 1986:Uranus Flyby.
Aug 25,1989: Neptune Flyby.
Dec 10, 2018: Entered Interstellar Space.
July 8,2019: Voyager-2 successfully fired its trajectory correction maneuver thrusters.

7.Discussion : Here is an overview of Voyager-2 and its mission.

i.Launch Date : August 20,1977.
ii.Mission Objectives : Its primary mission was to study the outer planets of our
solar system including Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus & Neptune.
iii.Flybys : Voyager-2 conducted flybys of Jupiter & Saturn in 1979 & 1981,
respectively, providing valuable data about their atmospheres, moons & rings.

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iv.Grand Tour : Voyager-2 was part of NASA's ‘Grand Tour' mission, which took
advantage of a unique planetary alignment that allowed a single spacecraft to visit
multiple outer planets.
v.Uranus & Neptune : In 1986, Voyager-2 became the first and only spacecraft to
visit Uranus and in 1989, it made its closest approach to Neptune revealing new
insights about these distant ice giants.
vi.Interstellar Mission : After completing its primary mission, Voyager-2 continued
to travel outward and is now in interstellar space where its studying the
environment beyond our solar system.
vii.Golden Record : Like its twin Voyager-1, it carries a “Golden Record” with
sounds and images from earth, intended as a message to potential extraterrestrial
civilizations.
viii.Longevity : Voyager-2 continues to communate with earth, making it one of
the longest operating and most distant human-made objects in space.
ix.Scientific Discoveries : The mission has provided a wealth of scientific data,
including discoveries about the complex dynamics of planetary atmospheres,
magnetic fields and the nature of outer space.
x.Spacecraft Status : As of last update, Voyager-2 is still operational and sending
data back to earth, although its in a low power mode due to its distance from the
sun. It is expected to continue operating until at least 2025, when its radioisotope
thermo-electric generators will no longer supply enough power for its
instruments.

8.Conclusion :
Voyager-2’s extraordinary journey has expanded our understanding of the outer
planets, their moons and the vast, uncharted regions of interstellar space. Its
mission has showcased humanity's ability to explore and learn about the cosmos,
leaving an enduring legacy that continues to inspire future genarations of
scientists & engineers. As Voyager-2 ventures ever deeper into the cosmos, it
serves as a reminder of our boundless curiosity and our place in the grand
tapestry of the universe.
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9.Reference list :
1. "Voyager: Mission Information". NASA. 1989. Archived from the
original on February 20, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
2. "Voyager 2". US National Space Science Data Center. Archived from the
original on January 31, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
3. "Voyager 2". N2YO. Archived from the original on August 2, 2014.
Retrieved August 25, 2013.
4. "Voyager 2". NASA's Solar System Exploration website. Archived from
the original on April 20, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
5. "Voyager – Mission Status". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. National
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Archived from the original on
January 1, 2018. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
6. "Voyager – Mission Status". voyager.jpl.nasa.gov. Archived from the
original on January 1, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
7. Gill, Victoria (December 10, 2018). "Nasa's Voyager 2 probe 'leaves the
Solar System'". BBC News. Archived from the original on December 15,
2019. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
8. "NASA's Voyager Will Do More Science With New Power Strategy". Jet-
Propulsion-Laboratory. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023.
Retrieved April 28, 2023.
9. "Distance between the Sun and Voyager 2". Archived from the original
on July 9, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
10. "Voyager 2: Nasa fully back in contact with lost space probe". BBC
News. August 4, 2023. Archived from the original on August 4, 2023.
Retrieved August 4, 2023.

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