New Horizons vs Voyager: A Comparison of Speed and Distance

The journey of space exploration has seen several milestones in human history, with New Horizons and the Voyager series representing significant achievements. Despite its ambitious mission to explore the outer Solar System, New Horizons' speed and distance traversed are often questioned in comparison to the legendary Voyager spacecraft. This article delves into the velocity and trajectories of these space probes to answer whether New Horizons is faster than the Voyagers and when, if possible, it might outdistance them.

Speed Comparisons

When discussing the speed of space probes, it's essential to consider the units of measurement. The speeds of these probes are measured in kilometers per second (km/s) and kilometers per hour (km/h) to provide a more relatable figure for everyday understanding. Here are the current speeds of the key spacecraft:

New Horizons: ~14.3 km/s or ~51,480 km/h Voyager 1: ~16.49 km/s or ~59,365 km/h Voyager 2: ~14.9 km/s or ~53,640 km/h

From these figures, it is clear that both Voyagers are currently traveling at a higher velocity compared to New Horizons. Voyager 1 is the fastest among the three, followed closely by Voyager 2, while New Horizons ranks third.

Distance Comparisons and Trajectories

The comparison of distance cannot be made without considering the trajectory and distance from the Sun. Both the Voyagers and New Horizons have vastly different trajectories, influenced by gravitational assists and the specific tasks they are undertaking.

At the time of April 2017, the positions and trajectories of the Voyagers and New Horizons were as follows:

Voyager 1: Approximately 114 AU from the Sun, with a speed of 3.6 AU per year. New Horizons: Approximately 36.88 AU from the Sun, with a speed of 3.03 AU per year.

These figures reveal that while New Horizons is currently closer to the Sun and therefore has a slower speed in terms of distance, it is still moving towards the outer Solar System. However, due to its closer proximity to the Sun, it is decelerating at a faster rate compared to Voyager 2.

Will New Horizons Catch Up to the Voyagers?

To determine if New Horizons will ever catch up to the Voyagers, we need to consider the principle that objects moving at different speeds and distances from the Sun will continue to diverge based on their trajectories. Given the current speeds and distances, it's clear that Voyager 2 is traveling at a slightly faster speed than New Horizons, and both are moving away from the Sun at different rates.

Based on their current trajectories and speeds, it is highly unlikely that New Horizons will ever outdistance both Voyager 1 and Voyager 2. Voyager 1 is projected to continue its journey far into the outer reaches of the Solar System and beyond, while Voyager 2, although slightly slower, will maintain a trajectory that keeps it moving away from the Sun at a consistent rate.

Moreover, it should be noted that the speeds of these spacecrafts are heavily influenced by their gravitational assists and the specific objectives of their missions. New Horizons, for example, has a different trajectory due to its brief, intense mission to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, which has affected its overall speed and trajectory.

Conclusion

In summary, while New Horizons is currently traveling at a faster speed in terms of km/h, it is still slower in terms of the rate at which it is moving away from the Sun compared to the Voyagers. Therefore, it is unlikely that New Horizons will ever outdistance Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 in terms of their distance from the Sun. Each spacecraft serves its unique mission and continues to provide invaluable data and insights about the outer Solar System.

Related Keywords

New Horizons Voyager spacecraft speed