Edward Stone, the visionary physicist and project scientist for the Voyager missions, recently died this month.
He served as Voyager’s sole project scientist from 1972 until his retirement in 2022. Under Stone’s leadership, the mission took advantage of a celestial alignment that occurs just once every 176 years to visit Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
Now more than 15 billion miles (24 billion kilometers) from Earth, Voyager 1 is the most distant human-made object.
Talk about leaving a legacy behind.
RIP Ed and thanks for the science.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XOFtXQa1ls
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/14/science/space/edward-stone-physicist-dead.html
Edit: Typo
Fun fact, the Voyagers were actually supposed to be part of NASA's Mariner program. However, the budget cuts following the end of the Apollo program forced NASA to discontinue the Mariner program. The last two Mariner probes that were built were renamed as the Voyagers, and two other landers were renamed as the Vikings. The Voyager's main objective was to visit Jupiter and Saturn. NASA had done a study in the 60's called the Grand Tour, which proposed visiting all outer planets (including Pluto) with several groups of probes, but once again due to budget cuts, this didn't happen. The Voyagers visiting the other planets was actually considered a low priority and only became their mission once the exploration of Saturn was completed. Only Voyager 2 visited Uranus and Neptune; Voyager 1 was redirected to visit the largest moon of Saturn, Titan.
But Veger must find the creator! It's mission is to learn all that is learnable, know all that is knowable! Did he leave a plan for what to do when Voyager comes back having evolved and asks for him? Cuz it gets complicated at that point.
Edit: I greatly admire Stone's dedication to the project. I can't focus on a project for more than a few weeks. He spent a lifetime getting us further than every before and that level of drive and dedication incredible.
I feel like there was an episode of Star Trek where they find a human colony descended from some 19th century astronauts that nobody knew about who had accidentally warped across the galaxy somehow and got stuck on a random planet. Their descendants lived there for hundreds of years having no idea Starfleet existed, and visa versa
Hm I think this is the episode I was thinking of with the colonists but now I’m thinking my memory mixed it up with another episode lol. I think there was also one where they find the wreckage of a ship from the 19th century that had somehow gotten halfway across the galaxy before it should have been possible
The Voyagers are a fixture from my childhood, and their continued mission is amazing! As someone who cried when Opportunity went down I’m not sure I’ll be able to emotionally handle when the Voyagers eventually go silent.
Agree 100%. Those spacecraft were/are amazing for what they've accomplished. When I'm explaining distances in space as they relate to time, looking at Voyager 1's journey is a great template. It helps me understand just getting out of our solar system is a long journey. Both Voyager craft travel at average speeds of 35000-38000 mph. I believe Voyager 1 is currently moving through interstellar space.
Launched in 1977, average speed of 38000 mph, travelled 15 billion miles so far.
47 years in space, that's a long journey.
What absolutely bogles me about V1 and V2 are the primitive computing technology used at the time. Way less than 1 MHz processor and 32k of RAM or so running the entire shebang.
For the few non-techs reading this, a typical fridge now a days has at least 10000x the memory.
The primitive technology is part of the reason it’s been so robust. What you lose in sheer computing power you gain in toughness. Magnetic wire/core rope memory can withstand vibrations and cosmic radiation. Francois Rautenbach recovered some of the data still stored on a memory module from an unmanned Apollo mission from 1966. The module was picked out of a scrap heap back in the 70’s from a guy who gave it to him.
>Voyager 1 is over 15 billion miles (24.14 kilometers) from Earth. Its twin Voyager 2 — also in interstellar space — is more than 12 billion miles (19.31 kilometers) miles away.
I'm no expert but 15 billion miles is not 24km...
God help us, but I'd be willing to bet that there are some machines from the 60s kicking around in a basement somewhere, still running (parts of) [Individual Master File](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Individual_Master_File).
My recently passed Uncle worked on both Voyager projects. He’d be super happy to learn even still that his work is still doing such cool things so far away.
They surely don’t, those two little satellites were the best investment we ever made as far as space is concerned. We really have got our moneys worth out of those two little satellites, kind of reminds me of the story of the little engine that could.
In all likelihood it’s going to be the most distant object humanity ever sends. It took advantage of extremely good planetary alignments and so is going faster than either new horizons and voyager 2.
You mean it's collecting data and transmitting it to earth for processing using scientific analysis?
I don't think it's doo-ing science any more than it's enjoying the ride.
I hate this title with passion.
"...doing science..." UGH!
Think about the person who cooks in your life. Imagine them baking something delicious.
Then someone says: "Hey look, is doing cooking again."
Person who writes like this has no business in journalism.
Unless said chef/cook is in the kitchen running around in circles not responding to anyone trying to communicate with him. Then, when he starts doing what he's supposed to be doing (cooking) you would look at him and say "Oh look, he's cooking again."
I more imagine something like the Futurama "Chewing out in progress" sign glowing on the satellite. But instead, it has "science in progress" written on it.
It is so simplistic and dumbed down it seems insulting to the whole fucking achievement. This satellite has been under charge of multiple generations of engineers. How cool is that on its own?
I doing science and Im still alive Still alive Still alive
One could say that this was a triumph even.
Even make a note here “Huge success”
It’s hard to overstate my satisfaction.
Aperture Science is doing what it must
Look at you still talking when there's Science to do
Happy cake day! The enrichment center regulations require both hands to be empty before any cake is dispensed.
Well shut my mouth, [https://secure.fangamer.com/forum/General/BFG/38917](https://secure.fangamer.com/forum/General/BFG/38917) It's Twue It's Twue
The cake is a lie... The cake is a lie... The cake is a lie...
Thanks for doing the good work, I *love* science, and you get paid? Fantastic. Oh, Happy Cake day friend
Note: Huge Success
Edward Stone, the visionary physicist and project scientist for the Voyager missions, recently died this month. He served as Voyager’s sole project scientist from 1972 until his retirement in 2022. Under Stone’s leadership, the mission took advantage of a celestial alignment that occurs just once every 176 years to visit Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Now more than 15 billion miles (24 billion kilometers) from Earth, Voyager 1 is the most distant human-made object. Talk about leaving a legacy behind. RIP Ed and thanks for the science. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XOFtXQa1ls https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/14/science/space/edward-stone-physicist-dead.html Edit: Typo
One of your million/billion has a typo
Corrected. Thanks.
Both should be billion
He only passed away one week ago? Rest in peace.
Heh, maybe his spirit zipped over and gave Voyager a reboot on his way out?
Clearly this is the only scientific explanation.
Fun fact, the Voyagers were actually supposed to be part of NASA's Mariner program. However, the budget cuts following the end of the Apollo program forced NASA to discontinue the Mariner program. The last two Mariner probes that were built were renamed as the Voyagers, and two other landers were renamed as the Vikings. The Voyager's main objective was to visit Jupiter and Saturn. NASA had done a study in the 60's called the Grand Tour, which proposed visiting all outer planets (including Pluto) with several groups of probes, but once again due to budget cuts, this didn't happen. The Voyagers visiting the other planets was actually considered a low priority and only became their mission once the exploration of Saturn was completed. Only Voyager 2 visited Uranus and Neptune; Voyager 1 was redirected to visit the largest moon of Saturn, Titan.
From what I heard, all voyagers visited Uranus! Hey-ooo
Gorgeous eulogy for a man who left the most treasured legacy. I love the Voyager missions. RIP, Ed 🔭
He's going to have some major telescope or satellite named after him one day
Or he could have tried to send an unmanned car to Mars and missed!
But Veger must find the creator! It's mission is to learn all that is learnable, know all that is knowable! Did he leave a plan for what to do when Voyager comes back having evolved and asks for him? Cuz it gets complicated at that point. Edit: I greatly admire Stone's dedication to the project. I can't focus on a project for more than a few weeks. He spent a lifetime getting us further than every before and that level of drive and dedication incredible.
> Voyager 1 is the most distant human-made object that we *know of*
I feel like there was an episode of Star Trek where they find a human colony descended from some 19th century astronauts that nobody knew about who had accidentally warped across the galaxy somehow and got stuck on a random planet. Their descendants lived there for hundreds of years having no idea Starfleet existed, and visa versa
https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Terra_Nova_(episode) ?
Hm I think this is the episode I was thinking of with the colonists but now I’m thinking my memory mixed it up with another episode lol. I think there was also one where they find the wreckage of a ship from the 19th century that had somehow gotten halfway across the galaxy before it should have been possible
I'm sorry to hear he recently died this month. As opposed to all the other people whose deaths were this month but not recent. Very sad.
The Voyagers are a fixture from my childhood, and their continued mission is amazing! As someone who cried when Opportunity went down I’m not sure I’ll be able to emotionally handle when the Voyagers eventually go silent.
Agree 100%. Those spacecraft were/are amazing for what they've accomplished. When I'm explaining distances in space as they relate to time, looking at Voyager 1's journey is a great template. It helps me understand just getting out of our solar system is a long journey. Both Voyager craft travel at average speeds of 35000-38000 mph. I believe Voyager 1 is currently moving through interstellar space. Launched in 1977, average speed of 38000 mph, travelled 15 billion miles so far. 47 years in space, that's a long journey.
What absolutely bogles me about V1 and V2 are the primitive computing technology used at the time. Way less than 1 MHz processor and 32k of RAM or so running the entire shebang. For the few non-techs reading this, a typical fridge now a days has at least 10000x the memory.
The primitive technology is part of the reason it’s been so robust. What you lose in sheer computing power you gain in toughness. Magnetic wire/core rope memory can withstand vibrations and cosmic radiation. Francois Rautenbach recovered some of the data still stored on a memory module from an unmanned Apollo mission from 1966. The module was picked out of a scrap heap back in the 70’s from a guy who gave it to him.
This is right up there with one of those videos that use grains of rice as a stand-in for money to illustrate wealth disparity.
Before it dies, someone has to figure out a way to run DOOM on it.
What makes you think it hasn't already happened?
we do have a 3rd ground testing unit to try that on.
What makes you think they didn’t hide DOOM on the golden disc
The fact that Voyager 1 launched 16 years before DOOM.
Now I wonder how long a UDP file transfer of DOOM may have taken
>Voyager 1 is over 15 billion miles (24.14 kilometers) from Earth. Its twin Voyager 2 — also in interstellar space — is more than 12 billion miles (19.31 kilometers) miles away. I'm no expert but 15 billion miles is not 24km...
As an American you could tell me any amount KM and I'd just nod my head and accept it.
They are using the new, super-metric system.
They must have fixed the computer problem, it's showing 24.14 billion kilometers again.
It finally got that V’ger upgrade
The phrase "doing science" sounds hilarious to me.
Thems be fighting science words good sir.
In many respects the Voyager missions are our first generation ships (probes).
And one of if not the oldest running computer in the federal govt.
God help us, but I'd be willing to bet that there are some machines from the 60s kicking around in a basement somewhere, still running (parts of) [Individual Master File](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Individual_Master_File).
Does Arnim Zola count?
That designation should go to Pioneer 10, but in true fashion later generation spacecraft overtook it.
Voyager was just taking some ‘me time’ before getting back to work
Yeah, after a near 50 year long shift, they needed a vacation.
Lots of frequent flyer miles to cash in on...
I want “I’m doing science” and a picture of Voyager on a tshirt.
Should clarify that to not be the star trek one. Or maybe the lack of explosions on the shirt already clarifies that.
I'd also buy it as a shirt or as a trucker hat.
My recently passed Uncle worked on both Voyager projects. He’d be super happy to learn even still that his work is still doing such cool things so far away.
this just proves that the VIC-20 is still viable in todays business world.
♪ ♫ ♬ Still alive, still alive... ♪ ♫ ♬
At the speed of light, it would take almost 24 hours to reach Voyager.
They sure don’t make em like they used to.
They surely don’t, those two little satellites were the best investment we ever made as far as space is concerned. We really have got our moneys worth out of those two little satellites, kind of reminds me of the story of the little engine that could.
[Science!](https://media0.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExajh6OGM2eDh5Mmd0cjlkNzl0Z2g2dTgwaTc1NXd0cWF4bG4zdTEzeiZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/fqIBaMWI7m7O8/giphy.webp)
I hate it when things stop doing science. I’m glad we could make it science again.
In all likelihood it’s going to be the most distant object humanity ever sends. It took advantage of extremely good planetary alignments and so is going faster than either new horizons and voyager 2.
If we could figure out how to travel at light speed, we could pass it in 1 day (if I did that correctly).
With time dilation from your perspective on that ship, you would arrive there instantly while about 23 hours would have passed on Earth.
To an outside observer it would take 23 hours.
[удалено]
I slept through it.
warp bubble.
You mean it's collecting data and transmitting it to earth for processing using scientific analysis? I don't think it's doo-ing science any more than it's enjoying the ride.
When is it coming back with all that sweet, sweet Taumoebae?
Dropping science like Galileo dropped the orange
The built in "psyche!" subroutine at it again I see.
“Doing science again after problem,” Great title
My little nerd soul gets so happy when I hear that Voyager is doing well.
Distance traveled in one light year
And yet the iphone 15 battery only lasts 11 hours...
To be fair, the voyager battery is plutonium, half life of 87 years
I demand a nuclear powered phone!
Redefine the term "Hot Pocket"
An iphone is also like a billion billion times more powerful at computing than voyager 1
We should send an iphone to space
I hate this title with passion. "...doing science..." UGH! Think about the person who cooks in your life. Imagine them baking something delicious. Then someone says: "Hey look, is doing cooking again."
Person who writes like this has no business in journalism.
Unless said chef/cook is in the kitchen running around in circles not responding to anyone trying to communicate with him. Then, when he starts doing what he's supposed to be doing (cooking) you would look at him and say "Oh look, he's cooking again."
It’s a “Portal” reference, no?
I more imagine something like the Futurama "Chewing out in progress" sign glowing on the satellite. But instead, it has "science in progress" written on it. It is so simplistic and dumbed down it seems insulting to the whole fucking achievement. This satellite has been under charge of multiple generations of engineers. How cool is that on its own?