Voyager 1, launched by NASA in 1977, is currently the farthest human-made object from Earth. Despite its long journey through the depths of space, Voyager 1 is not expected to collide with any objects, planets, or stars. There are a few key reasons for this:
Vastness of Space: The universe is incredibly vast, and the probability of Voyager 1 encountering a celestial object, such as a star or planet, is extremely low. The distances between objects in space are vast, and the chances of a collision are highly unlikely.
Careful Trajectory Planning: During the mission planning and launch of Voyager 1, meticulous calculations were performed to ensure its trajectory would avoid any known objects in the Solar System. NASA scientists and engineers took into account the positions, velocities, and orbits of planets, moons, and other space debris to plot a safe path for the spacecraft.
Relative Emptiness of Space: While space is not completely empty, it is mostly a vacuum, with extremely low densities of particles. Interstellar space, where Voyager 1 currently resides, is even emptier. The chances of Voyager 1 encountering a significant object are incredibly slim.
Voyager 1's Speed: Voyager 1 was launched with a high velocity to achieve its mission objectives. It currently travels at a speed of approximately 17 kilometers per second (38,000 miles per hour). This high velocity helps to maintain its trajectory and minimize the likelihood of gravitational capture by other celestial objects.
It's important to note that Voyager 1 is expected to continue its journey through interstellar space for tens of thousands of years. While the possibility of a collision is negligible, the spacecraft will encounter the occasional dust particle or microscopic debris, but these pose minimal risk due to the spacecraft's robust design.
Overall, Voyager 1's trajectory, the vastness of space, and the careful planning by mission scientists have ensured that the spacecraft is on a safe path, avoiding collisions with objects, planets, or stars.