Voyager (V'ger for the geeks)

I remember being fascinated by space exploration as a young child. For a project I was able to laminate a Toronto Star report on Halley's Comet when it came in 1986 for instance. (And if I live long enough I'll see it on its return in 2062)

Both Voyager I and II were launched in the year of my birth, 1977. I recall reading about how NASA scientists realized that in order to be able to slingshot around each planet to get pictures and data etc they had to launch in '77. That it was a struggle to get to the launch date but they made it. Well here we are in 2006 almost and they are still flying ever further. Visit this page to see where the probes are right now and where they are going.

Voyager 1 is expected to be about 12.4 billion miles from the sun when it passes into true interstellar space. Voyager 2 will be about 10.5 billion miles.

If the science instruments continue to operate, the spacecraft have enough power to last until about 2020

ps. The V'ger reference will only apply to those who remember Star Trek: The Motion Picture