How fast must Voyager travel to leave the solar system?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the velocity required for the Voyager probes to leave the solar system, particularly in relation to the Sun's gravitational influence and the definitions of escape velocity. Participants explore the implications of these definitions and the velocities of the Voyager spacecraft.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that the definition of leaving the solar system can vary, affecting the interpretation of the Voyager probes' status.
  • One participant asserts that the Voyagers have sufficient velocity to escape the Sun's gravitational influence.
  • Another participant clarifies that while the Sun's gravitational influence extends indefinitely, the Voyagers are not in orbit and exceed the escape velocity.
  • A participant questions the escape velocity of the solar system and the galaxy, referencing the Sun's escape velocity of 617.5 km/s.
  • One participant provides an estimated galactic escape velocity relative to the Sun of 550 km/s and notes that Voyager is traveling at approximately 15 km/s relative to the Sun.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the definitions of escape velocity and the implications for the Voyager probes, indicating that multiple competing views remain and the discussion is unresolved.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the definitions of escape velocity and the assumptions about gravitational influences, which are not fully resolved in the discussion.

SPB COOPERATOR
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I have read articles about the Voyager probes leaving the solar system (or not) depending on what definition is used. So, another definition - do the Voyagers have sufficient velocity to escape the Sun's gravitati0nal influence?
 
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SPB COOPERATOR said:
...do the Voyagers have sufficient velocity to escape the Sun's gravitati0nal influence?
Yes.
 
Technically, the Sun's gravitational influence extends indefinitely. The Voyager spacecraft , however, are not in an orbit of the Sun - they have more than what is known as the escape velocity. Eventually, the primary gravitational influence will be another nearby star.
 
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Ooops I overlooked the point the the Sun's Ve of 617.5 km/s is from the sun itself, not the solar system. Does the solar system itself have Ve and even the galaxy itself?
 
SPB COOPERATOR said:
Ooops I overlooked the point the the Sun's Ve of 617.5 km/s is from the sun itself, not the solar system. Does the solar system itself have Ve and even the galaxy itself?
This page gives you an estimated galactic escape velocity relative to the Sun of 550 km/s:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milky_Way

Voyager is traveling at ##15 km/s## relative to the Sun.
 

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