THE INCREDIBLE LUCK OF THE VOYAGER-1 SPACE PROBE

The Voyager 1 mission, launched by NASA on September 5, 1977, stands as a monumental achievement in space exploration ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voyager_1). Conceived as part of the Voyager program, which included its sister spacecraft, Voyager 2, Voyager 1's primary goal was to provide detailed images and data from Jupiter and Saturn, their moons, and rings. The mission capitalized on a rare planetary alignment that allowed for a Grand Tour of the outer planets by using gravity assist maneuvers.

Voyager 1's trajectory was designed to take it closest to Jupiter in March 1979 and Saturn in November 1980. During its flybys, the spacecraft sent back unprecedented images and information about the two gas giants and their moons, significantly enhancing our understanding of the outer solar system. Notable discoveries include the first detailed images of Jupiter's moons, including volcanic activity on Io, and the intricacies of Saturn's rings.

After its encounters with Jupiter and Saturn, Voyager 1's mission was extended to explore the outskirts of the solar system and beyond. It was tasked with investigating the heliosphere—the outermost layer of the solar system's magnetic field and solar wind. On August 25, 2012, Voyager 1 made history as the first human-made object to enter interstellar space, crossing the heliopause and providing firsthand data about this boundary.

Voyager 1 carries with it the Golden Record, a 12-inch gold-plated copper disc containing sounds, music, and images selected to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth, intended for any intelligent extraterrestrial life that might find it.

Amazingly, despite the vast distances, it continues to transmit scientific data back to NASA, powered by radioisotope thermoelectric generators. The mission, originally planned to last five years, has far exceeded its expected lifespan, continuing to contribute valuable knowledge about our solar system and the interstellar space beyond. No doubt, this was a very lucky enterprise.

The astrological chart for its launch is shown below, using the sidereal zodiac.

The critical degree of zero Virgo is rising, a very apt harbinger of a vehicle that provided a long period of reliable, accurate service.  Mercury is Lord of the Ascendant, in this case relaying information back to Earth, and indeed taking a message from Earth on its gold-plated disk. It is in an inferior conjunction with the Sun in Leo, and in T-square with the Moon and Neptune. However Pluto is in the first house, benefiting from a conjunction with the North Node and trine the Moon, the latter being in the 9th house of travel and thus pointing to success for a very long voyage indeed.

 The MC represents mission control and close to it is the Mars-Jupiter conjunction in Gemini – the sign of science and communication. Mars is out of bounds in declination – an extra boost of energy. Mars/Jupiter is trine Uranus in the second house, a traditionally lucky configuration, and Mercury – the space probe - is approximately half-way in between. Venus is lady of the MC, she is sextile the Moon and in its domicile, Cancer.

And, to add a bit of extra luck, the Part of Fortune is in Taurus is partile conjunct the MC!

Events such as these, where timing and outcomes are known precisely, are of great value for the study of Astrology.