As a mother of two daughters, Jennifer and Jessica, I often joke with them that their births were determined by the alignment of the planets during the Voyager missions. Their births occurred between the Voyager Saturn flyby in 1981 and the Uranus flyby in 1986. Interestingly, my friends Candy Hansen and Sue Linick, who were also Voyager moms, started their families during this time frame as well. As a result, our children grew up together, creating a special bond among our families.
During the Voyager missions, Candy Hansen was an experiment rep for the Imaging Science Subsystem, Sue Linick worked with the Ultraviolet Spectrometer, and Bob Nelson was responsible for the Photopolarimeter. In a memorable photo from that time, we are shown with our heads carefully positioned to represent our respective instruments on the Voyager scan platform. This photo serves as a reminder of the unique relationship we shared as mothers and scientists during that exciting period in space exploration.
My experiences on Voyager have had a significant impact on my life in various ways. The timing of the flybys has influenced my family’s lives in particular ways. As I look back on this period now, I realize how much I learned about myself and others during those years.
Overall, my time on Voyager was an incredible experience that shaped me into the person I am today. The relationships I formed with other scientists and team members taught me valuable lessons about collaboration and leadership. Additionally, my daughters grew up surrounded by science enthusiasts and learned important skills about problem-solving and critical thinking at an early age.
In conclusion, my experiences on Voyager have had a lasting impact on my life in many ways. From influencing my family’s lives to teaching me valuable skills about science and leadership, it is clear that this mission will always hold a special place in my heart.
