Voyager 1 deep space

Voyager 1 is the farthest human-made object from Earth, still transmitting scientific data from interstellar space.

About this subject

Launched on September 5, 1977 by NASA, Voyager 1 was designed to study the outer planets of the Solar System. Its trajectory took it past Jupiter and Saturn, where it discovered active moons like Io and detailed the atmosphere of Titan. In 2012, it became the first human-made object to cross the heliopause and enter interstellar space, a region where the solar wind yields to galactic plasma.

Today Voyager 1 is over 24 billion kilometers from the Sun, traveling at about 17 km/s. Its instruments still measure magnetic fields, cosmic rays, and plasma waves, providing unique data about the interstellar medium. The spacecraft carries the Golden Record, a phonograph disc with sounds and images of Earth, serving as a time capsule for any extraterrestrial civilization.

One of the most iconic moments of the mission came in 1990, when, at the request of Carl Sagan, Voyager 1 turned its cameras back to Earth and captured the famous "Pale Blue Dot". The image, showing Earth as a tiny speck of light against the vastness of space, inspired reflections on the fragility and unity of humanity. The probe remains operational, though with declining power, and is expected to transmit until the mid-2030s.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Voyager 1 from Earth now?

Voyager 1 is over 24 billion kilometers from Earth (about 162 astronomical units). The distance increases every second due to its speed of approximately 17 km/s.

Is Voyager 1 still operational?

Yes, the probe still sends scientific data, though some instruments have been turned off to save power. It is expected to maintain contact until around 2030, when its plutonium generators will deplete.

What is the Golden Record on Voyager?

It is a copper phonograph record plated with gold, containing 115 images, greetings in 55 languages, sounds of nature, and music from different cultures. It was designed to communicate the diversity of life on Earth to any extraterrestrial intelligence that might find the probe.