Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Ed Stone, the pioneering project scientist for NASA's Voyager mission from 1972 to 2022, passed away on June 9 at the age of 88.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Nicola Fox, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, described Stone as a trailblazer who significantly impacted space exploration and served as a mentor to many, including herself.
The Voyager mission, under Stone's guidance, launched twin probes in 1977 for a "grand tour" of the solar system's giant planets, leading to numerous groundbreaking discoveries.
In 2012, Voyager 1 became the first human-made object to reach interstellar space, followed by Voyager 2 in 2018. Both spacecraft continue to send valuable data back to Earth.
Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 remain operational, studying the environment between stars. Voyager 1 is over 15 billion miles from Earth, while Voyager 2 is about 13 billion miles away.
In October 2022, Stone reflected on his 50-year tenure, expressing gratitude for the mission's success and the opportunity to work with a dedicated team.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Born in Knoxville, Iowa, in 1936, Stone developed an early interest in understanding the world. He pursued physics and built science instruments for early spacecraft during his time at the University of Chicago.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Stone's work included developing instruments for the Discoverer 36 satellite and contributing to NASA missions as a principal investigator or co-investigator. He also served as director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory from 1991 to 2001.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Colleagues remember Stone as an energetic leader who expanded our knowledge of the universe and inspired future generations. His commitment to science education and communication was evident in his interactions with the media and public.
Credit: Caltech