Why not launch a new probe to catch up with Voyager using those new VASIMER engines? That way we can use specific sensors to experience what Voyager did using bastardized technology...We are actually listening to the disturbances in the transmission from Voyager to determine and assume what it is specifically that Voyager is going through...I think it is high time to launch a dedicated probe to investigate and surpass Voyager...Questions, Comments, Criticisms???

I'm all for "going to see what's out there" it's just we depend on which way the political wind is blowing for the funding of these programs, and they are often cancelled. It's a shame.

Unfortunately, if we have to rely on NASA, then we are relying on two factions: a presidential administration that is dealing with 'blue ribbon' panels (HA!) that are influenced by big business and worse: by Congress who historically underfunds the U.S. Space Program.

As much as I want a National Space Program, it must be balanced with the bold minds of private enterprise. Sooner than later, Private Space Corporations like SpaceX will surpass NASA with technology and capability. Soon, in order to protect those corporations, the U.S. Military will have to get involved. When that happens, our tax dollars will be buying from defense contractors (much like we do today) to build the military 'toys' to protect our national interests out in space...

Get ready for a 21st century version of the Wild West when we start mining asteroids and the moon for precious metals and beaming solar power via microwaves to the Earth...It WILL happen again and because of the dollar value amount involved, it certainly could cause us to go to war against a rival power that tries to prevent us from reaping the rewards associated with daring to go where no one has gone before...

I do wish some of these things, the good stuff like the actual mining of asteroids, manned travel to another planet, etc., would happen in my lifetime.

Going just from memory, I thought that Voyager 1 was launched first, contrary to what this article says, and that Voyager 2 did the round of the solar system as this article got right. Voyager 2 was able to use the gravitational attraction for a gravity boost from all the planets it passed, giving it a much greater velocity and it finally overtook the distance from Earth from Voyager 1.

Voyager 1 was susposed to be launched first but was delayed so Voyager 2 actually left first, as weird as that seems.

Voyager 1 is furtherest from the sun at 114 astronmical units (distance from the sun to the earth). Voyager w is 92.6 au from the sun. Voyager 2 was launched Aug 20, 1977 and voyager 1 Sept 5, 1977. Voyager 1 is the fastest man made object traveling at 17.07 km/sec.

Pioneer 10 is actually the second furtherest object from the sun at 101.15 au.

Actually from voyager 1 and 2 the earth is not visible without a really good telescope.

Also, both spacecraft are carrying a gold phonograph. One side has information on how to find us. The other side has recordings of images from around the world and greatings in 55 languages.

Jingoism at it's best. Oldpiper, part of being an American is accepting other people's point of view. Isn't that what people have "fought and died for"? A flag is just a thing.

You are overreacting to what Rakesh is saying, which is that it's important to recognize that we are members of mankind before we are members of our specific ethnic or social goup. Sending a space probe benefits all people on earth, not just Americans. Why is it so important who sent it out?

And wow, kudos for throwing out the tired "if you don't like it, leave..." statement. Nice.

So just because Americans did it first and it is pointed out, that is jingoism? You are a Libertard-- stellar class. How come only Americans are bad in your world, loser?

Hey, it's alright to point out that America put the Voyager probes out there. It's a wonderful accomplishment by any standard, but what the poster, Rakesh, was pointing out is that it's a victory for mankind, which transcends borders and social groups. Flags don't matter, countries don't matter, all that matters is that human beings were smart enough to get a project like this done. Frankly, I completely agree.

What I think Oldpiper said was a complete overreaction to that post. And yes, it's jingoism. It's a "we're better than you because of where we were born here, and you weren't" jerkiness. It's true, we have more money, and power than most in this world, that doesn't mean we get to be dicks about it. And telling the person that if they don't like it, they can leave, well that's truly being an asshat.

Oh, and how about some original thought before labeling someone a "libertard"? I like how you say "stellar class" when you basically tell me I'm retarded. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you can't come up with any original posts regarding the discussion, then don't bother writing anything at all.

@ oldpiper

I love this "We are better then everybody else cause we where born here" mentality. Firstly, this extreme patriotism is just stupid. there is nothing to brag about because as far as i know you are not responsible for any great accomplishments in the history of mankind. Its liek saying that you're super smart because your grandfather was a scientist.

And insulting others beacause of their opinion is just beeing a dick.

You know how we called people like you here in germany? I guess you know it.

Have a nice day

You Germans, full of laughs !!!

Yes dumbarse I do, but it's small in comparison to our galaxy, or the distance between galaxies. This is how you spell big.

Just because it's small in comparison to our galaxy, doesn't mean it's going to be somehow faster to travel. Duh. And it's a typo-get over it. Opf course it looks easy on "science-fiction" tv shows-it's fiction.

Who asked you anyway? I never said a thing regarding travel times being slower or faster depending upon where one might be, unless one considers the travel time for information to pass between your ears which would be the speed of light due to the fact there's nothing in there to impede the flow.

Because we don't know and when we find out it will be too late to do anything about it.

No, that was correct. A 15 minutes would be just twice the distance of Earth from the Sun, which is aproximately 8.32 minutes away.

It's a good chance any germs hitching a ride will not survive the radiation in space outside the solar system.

"What it represents to us is an affirmation of the pride we had at that time."

Cheapster - I'm sure Jeremiah Wright is furious (along with the ACLU) that anyone would have the audacity to take this much pride in the United States of America. "D@mn that spaceship. D@mn those NASA folks. D@mn that flag..."

they could have spent that money "Something "else Like poverty hunger education you know things that never get better only worse

The gains we got from the space program out weighed the cost at that time.

Huh ???

You mean, you hope to reverse the rebellion and return under the Maple Leaf?

- you'll be welcome I guess - but promise to behave this time...

They're not true 'satellites', but I understood what you meant. And not hundreds of years, but more like tens of thousands. Unfortunately, if you see below, neither craft gets within 1.7 light years of any star for nearly 40,000 years. And when they do, they're still 9,986,822,844,793 miles away at the time.

From JPL:

"Voyager 1 is escaping the solar system at a speed of about 3.5 AU per year, 35 degrees out of the ecliptic plane to the north, in the general direction of the Solar Apex (the direction of the Sun's motion relative to nearby stars). Voyager 1 will leave the solar system aiming toward the constellation Ophiuchus. In the year 40,272 AD, Voyager 1 will come within 1.7 light years of an obscure star in the constellation Ursa Minor (the Little Bear or Little Dipper) called AC+79 3888.

Voyager 2 is also escaping the solar system at a speed of about 3.1 AU per year, 48 degrees out of the ecliptic plane to the south toward the constellations of Sagitarrius and Pavo. In about 40,000 years, Voyager 2 will come within about 1.7 light years of a star called Ross 248, a small star in the constellation of Andromeda."

I doubt they'll ever be picked up by any civilization. So many factors:

1. The likelihood is remote. Very, very, very remote. That they'll ever encounter another intelligent organism.
2. That if they do, the organism will really care.
3. By the time (again, IF) they do, humans will have become extinct.
4. And upon visiting us (if we're still here), humans will have long forgotten about.

Andromeda is a galaxy, not a consellation, if your trying to be absolutely correct. Another poster suggests using the VASIMER technology but that power source is not yet ready for prime time deployement. The degradation of funding was begun by Regan to prevent his deregulation policies from making his record deficit spending esculate from 235 billion to well over a trillion dollars due to tax cuts for the wealthy and vastly increased open contract spending like the Bradley fighting vehicle and several other ill advised personal intrest projects that ultimately placed us in todays mess and landslide from world dominance. History cannot be rewritten while those who were there remain living.

Andromeda IS a constellation, neighbored by Pegasus, Cassiopeia, Perseus, Triangulum, and Pisces. There is also an "Andromeda Galaxy", which is the largest galaxy neighboring our own Milky Way galaxy - it resides within the boundaries of the Andromeda constellation.

As to the question of funding space, NASA is less than 1/2 of 1% of the U.S. Federal budget. There were (and still are) a number of programs that take a hit to fund military and social spending in this country. Isn't it hard, though, to draw a direct line from the Bradley (or other program) to space, specifically? Congress is always adjusting spending as it sees best (a discussion that I will not go further into, as I wish to keep my blood pressure on an even keep today).