Question

Where are the Pioneer and Voyager space probes? Are they still operating? Is anybody listening to them?

Asked by: Chris Preston

 Answer

These space probes are still operating though they are not providing scientific information any longer. In fact NASA announced just recently that it was going to try to make contact with Pioneer if the craft is still capable of sending transmissions. Voyager 1 is now about 12 billion kilometers from earth and Pioneer (actually Pioneer 10) is even farther away and heading towards the constellation Taurus (though it won't get there any time soon!).

If you are interested in learning more about the status of these projects I would refer you to the NASA website where all ongoing projects are listed:

http://www.nasa.gov/projects.html

Answered by: Brent Nelson, M.A. Physics, Ph.D. Student, UC Berkeley

Search

Loading



Sponsors

USC University of Southern California Dornsife College Physics and Astronomy Department McMaster University Physics and Astronomy Department

Science Quote

'The most precious things in life are not those one gets for money.'

Albert Einstein
(1879-1955)

Deal of the Day

Image of Electroplasma Lava Lamp. Click on this image for more info. Electroplasma Lava Lamp
Regular Price: $59.99
Today's Price: $35.00
This lava lamp features electroplasma lighting effects! Buy it now! Deal ends at midnight!

Top Selling

Here are our physics & astronomy bestsellers:
Tin Can Robot 4M Kit
Deluxe 3D Mirascope
Windmill Generator 4M Kit
Periscope
Weather Station 4M Kit
Solar Radiometer
Potato Clock 4M Kit
Clean Water Science 4M Kit
Glowing Gel Experiment Kit
Magnetic Levitator - Classic