Western countries, first of all, Europe and the United States, in the early 2030s can run into space an interstellar device, partially repeating the mission problems who left the Sunny system Voyager-1 and Voyager-2, reports the European Union of Sciences of Earth.
It is noted that in 15 years after the launch of Interstellar will be at a distance of about 1000 astronomical units from the Sun, that is, in the interstellar space. The scientific program of the mission is designed for at least 50 years. Interstellar’s tasks are called, in particular, the study of the interaction of solar wind with interstellar gas, as well as the Sun with the Galaxy.
Voyager 1 and 2 became the only man-made objects that left the limits of the solar system. Space devices are identical, the starting mass of one station (along with hydrazine) – 815 kilograms. In the deployed form, the device is placed in a cube with a side of four meters. Voyager 2 started in August 1977 for 16 days before Voyager 1. Apparatuses, in addition to scientific equipment, carry messages from humanity to possible alien civilizations. It is believed that radioisotope thermoelectric generators (ritags) will allow Voyager 1 and 2 to keep in touch with Earth for about 2027.
The boundaries of the solar system are determined by two methods: heliosphere (magnetic analogue of the atmosphere of planets) and the Hill sphere (region with a decisive gravitational influence of the central celestial body). For the Sun, the radius of Hill sphere is estimated in one or two light years. According to the first definition, Voyager 1 and 2 left the limits of the solar system, on the second – no.