By Edward C. Stone, the former director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the longtime project scientist for the Voyager mission, passed away on June 9, 2024, at the age of 88. Known for his steady leadership, consensus-building, and enthusiasm for engaging the public in science, Stone left a profound impact on the space community. His contributions to space exploration, particularly through the Voyager mission, have revolutionized our understanding of the solar system and inspired generations of scientists and engineers.
Ed Stone’s career was marked by his unwavering commitment to advancing space exploration. As the director of JPL, he played a pivotal role in guiding NASA’s breakthrough Voyager mission to the outer planets. Under his leadership, the twin Voyager spacecraft launched in 1977 and embarked on a historic journey to explore Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Stone’s vision and dedication were instrumental in the mission’s success, which continues to yield valuable scientific data to this day.
Stone’s leadership extended beyond the Voyager mission. He served as the principal investigator or science instrument lead on nine NASA missions and as a co-investigator on five others. His work primarily focused on studying energetic ions from the Sun and cosmic rays from the galaxy. Stone’s contributions to these missions have significantly expanded our knowledge of the universe and paved the way for future explorations.
In addition to his scientific achievements, Stone was known for his ability to build consensus and foster collaboration among scientists. His straightforward leadership style and commitment to communicating with the public made him a respected figure in the space community. Stone’s legacy is not only defined by his scientific contributions but also by his dedication to inspiring and mentoring the next generation of scientists.
The Voyager Mission: A Journey of Discovery
The Voyager mission stands as one of Ed Stone’s most significant accomplishments. As the sole project scientist from 1972 until his retirement in 2022, Stone guided the mission through its many milestones. The Voyager spacecraft provided humanity with its first close-up views of the outer planets and their moons, revealing a wealth of previously unknown phenomena.
Among the mission’s groundbreaking discoveries were the detection of lightning on Jupiter, volcanoes on its moon Io, and six new moons around Saturn. The Voyager spacecraft also found evidence of the largest ocean in the solar system on Jupiter’s moon Europa and geysers on Neptune’s moon Triton. These discoveries have fundamentally changed our understanding of the solar system and continue to inspire scientific inquiry.
Stone’s ability to communicate the significance of these discoveries to the public was a key factor in the mission’s success. He helped the world make sense of the revolutionary images and data sent back by the Voyager spacecraft, fostering a sense of wonder and curiosity about the cosmos. The Voyager mission’s enduring legacy is a testament to Stone’s vision and leadership.
Remembering a Trailblazer
Ed Stone’s passing marks the end of an era in space exploration. His contributions to the field have left an indelible mark on NASA, JPL, and the scientific community at large. Stone’s work on the Voyager mission and other NASA projects has expanded our knowledge of the universe and inspired countless individuals to pursue careers in science and engineering.
Stone’s colleagues and friends remember him as a mentor, a leader, and a visionary. Nicola Fox, associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, described Stone as a trailblazer who “dared mighty things in space” and took humanity on a planetary tour of the solar system and beyond. Laurie Leshin, JPL director and Caltech vice president, praised Stone’s discoveries for fueling exploration and sparking imaginations about the mysteries of deep space.
As we reflect on Ed Stone’s remarkable career, we are reminded of the importance of curiosity, perseverance, and collaboration in the pursuit of scientific knowledge. Stone’s legacy will continue to inspire future generations to explore the unknown and push the boundaries of human understanding.