In the book “Scouts of the outer planets: the journey of the Pioneers and Voyagers from Earth to Neptune and beyond,” Igor Lisov sets out in fascinating detail the history of the preparation, planning, financing, launches and flights of the Pioneers and Voyagers - space devices whose mission was to study the planets of the outer solar system. These expeditions provided incredibly valuable information about Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—celestial bodies about which humanity had previously only had very superficial knowledge. The two Voyagers are still in flight to this day: gradually losing power, they stop sending signals and move further and further from Earth, beyond the solar system. These ships are never destined to return, but on board the Voyagers carry messages from earthlings to extraterrestrial civilizations in case such a meeting ever takes place.