How many spacecraft have been to Saturn? Three spacecraft have flown by Saturn so far, and a forth is scheduled to visit Saturn in 2004. In 1979, Pioneer 11 became the first spacecraft to fly by and study Saturn up close. Voyager 1 flew by in 1980 and Voyager 2 in 1981. These spacecraft studied many of the moons of Saturn as well. The Pioneer and Voyager missions made many important discoveries and sent back wonderful close-up images of Saturn and its moons. In July 2004, the Cassini spacecraft, which was launched in October 1997, will reach Saturn and send back even more information and images.