Voyager 2 launched on Aug. 20, 1977, about two weeks before the Sept. 5 launch of Voyager 1. Why the reversal of order? The two were sent on different trajectories, and Voyager 1 was put on a path to reach its planetary targets, Jupiter and Saturn, ahead of Voyager 2. read more
Although Voyager 1 launched three weeks after Voyager 2, its faster trajectory resulted in it arriving at Jupiter four months before Voyager 2. Voyager 2 took an alternate, slower trajectory that allowed, if the vehicle and funding survived, close passes of Uranus and Neptune. read more
The two were sent on different trajectories, and Voyager 1 was put on a path to reach its planetary targets, Jupiter and Saturn, ahead of Voyager 2. read more
Launch of Voyager 1. On September 5, 1977, Voyager 1 was launched from Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Florida. Although Voyager 1 left Earth 16 days after Voyager 2, its faster flight path allowed it to pass the slower craft and arrive at Jupiter more than four months ahead of Voyager 2. read more