PDS3













    Voyager pic
    Voyager pic
    Voyager pic














    The 3-axis spin stabilized Voyager spacecraft were equipped with an enabling scan platform, a challenging limited computer and eight-track digital tape recorder. The mission was designed to take advantage of a planetary alignment that occurs every 175 years. Although Voyager’s goal was to explore Jupiter and Saturn and their environments, different options were reserved for the 2 crafts. Voyager 1 was targeted to Jupiter, Saturn and Titan while the Voyager 2 trajectory allowed it to continue on to Uranus and Neptune.

    Jovian Objectives or Goals
    • investigate the circulation, dynamics, structure, and composition of the planet's atmosphere;
    • characterize the morphology, geology, and physical state of the satellites of the planet;
    • provide improved values for the mass, size, and shape of the planet, its satellites, and any rings;
    • determine the magnetic field structure and characterize the composition and distribution of energetic trapped particles and plasma therein.


    Jupiter Encounter Events

    Voyager 1 - 1979
    4 Jan. approach phase began
    6 Jan. 4-color images of Jupiter every 2 hours began
    30 Jan. – 3 Feb 10 rotation jovian movie
    5 Mar. closest approach to Jupiter at 349,000 km
    Amalthea 417,000 km
    Io 21,000 km
    Europa 734,000 km
    Ganymede 113,000 km
    Callisto 126,000 km

    Voyager 2 - 1979
    24 Apr. observations began
    27-29 May 5 rotation movie
    9 Jul closest approach to Jupiter at 570,000 km
    Amalthea 558,000 km
    Io 1,130,000 km
    Europa 206,000 km
    Ganymede 62,000 km
    Callisto 215,000 km


    References Helpful in Scoping the Mission
    Mission Description Spacecraft description
    A list of pertinent references
    Also See Space Science Reviews 21 (1977 – Issue 2) 77-101.


    Understanding the Instruments and Archived Data
    ISS - Narrow and wide angle cameras with filters in a 280-640 nm range
    IRIS - Infrared Interferometric Spectrometer
    UVS - Ultraviolet Spectrometer
    PPS - Photopolarimeter
    MAG - Triaxial Fluxgate Magnetometer
    LECP - Low Energy Charged Particle Detector
    PLS - Plasma Spectrometer
    PRA - Planetary Radio Astronomy Investigation
    PWS – Planetary Wave Spectrometer
    CRS - Cosmic Ray System
    RSS - Radio Science System


    Other Useful Products for Interpreting the Data




    Geometry in "SPICE" format may be obtained at the NAIF node