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Key Facts History and Mission Objectives (1977 Launch and Beyond) In the early 1970s, NASA conceived the Voyagers as part of a once-in-176-year alignment allowing a “Grand Tour” of the outer planets. Budget constraints scaled the plan down from four probes to two spacecraft launched in 1977, each initially tasked to explore Jupiter and Saturn science.nasa.gov. The mission plan cleverly allowed for an extended journey: if Voyager 1 successfully completed its Saturn flyby, Voyager 2 would be directed onward to Uranus and Neptune using gravity assists science.nasa.gov. The twin probes – originally called Mariner 11 and Mariner 12 – were rechristened “Voyager” just before launch, reflecting their ambitious