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Spacecraft Launched in the 1970s Which Were Inscribed with Names?

-- | April 21, 2016

Question: My dad has always told me about how his name is floating out in space on some spacecraft. Now he would like to see a copy of the list of names on that spacecraft but he can’t remember the name of it. He knows that he went to Langley airfield in the 1970s and got his name on what he is calling a microdot. He said he thinks that the aircraft is still in space and may be the one that is furthest out. However, I thought that the Voyager was the furtherest object and everything I’ve read about the Voyager says that it does not have public names on it. Could you help me find what he is talking about please? — Melissa

Answer: I am sorry but I was not able to find any information about names inscribed on spacecraft launched in the 1970s. About the only suggestion I can make is the check the Wikipedia list of artificial satellites and space probes and see if any of those launched in the 1970s might match what you are looking for.

Jeff Mangum

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