It's Quieter in the Twilight

It's Quieter in the Twilight is an important and fascinating documentary, in two ways.

First, it's a look at what happens to a scientific program after the glory days have passed. It's a reminder of how awesome Voyagers 1 and 2 have been - and how they are now even more awesome as they've become the furthest man-made objects in the universe, by an incomprehensibly vast margin. It's an acknowledgement that these probes, primitive by today's standards, are still sending back priceless data, after decades hurtling through space. And it's a jaw-dropping reminder that these little craft are still responding to commands from Earth - in a sense a human presence, traveling a long way beyond the furthest planet in our Solar System, even beyond the limits of the Solar System itself.

Second, this film gives us a feeling for the kind of individuals who take on this kind of responsibility. Managing these two ageing yet priceless spacecraft does not bring accolades, and yet it's difficult, demanding work. The people involved today have been with the Voyager program almost since the very start. They've dedicated their lives to this one mission, both when it was in the media spotlight - during fly-bys of the outer planets - and today, when there are no obvious moments of glory.

It's Quieter in the Twilight does a great job of letting us get to know the latter-day Voyager team. It's a rare celebration of how great deeds are often accomplished not by single heroic acts, but by the dedicated effort of regular people over a long period of time.

Anyone who feels excited and inspired by space exploration should see this documentary. It's absolutely one of the best.