Voyager 1 deep space

Voyager 1 is the farthest human-made object from Earth, launched in 1977 to explore Jupiter and Saturn and now traveling in interstellar space.

About this subject

Voyager 1 is an American space probe launched by NASA on September 5, 1977. Originally designed to study Jupiter and Saturn, it made groundbreaking discoveries such as active volcanoes on Jupiter's moon Io and details of Saturn's rings. After completing its planetary mission, the probe continued toward interstellar space, becoming the first human-made object to leave the heliosphere in 2012. Currently, Voyager 1 is over 24 billion kilometers from the Sun, communicating with Earth via the Deep Space Network. It carries the Golden Record, a phonograph disc containing sounds and images of life on Earth, intended to communicate our existence to potential extraterrestrial intelligences. The probe operates on radioisotope thermoelectric generators, but its power output gradually declines; its scientific instruments are expected to continue functioning until around 2025. Voyager 1 is a symbol of space exploration and human curiosity, sending valuable data about the interstellar medium.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Voyager 1 from Earth currently?

As of 2025, Voyager 1 is approximately 24.5 billion kilometers from Earth, or about 163 astronomical units.

What is the Golden Record on Voyager 1?

The Golden Record is a copper phonograph record plated with gold containing 116 images, natural sounds, music from various cultures, and greetings in 55 languages, representing the diversity of life on Earth.

When will Voyager 1 stop sending data?

It is estimated that Voyager 1 may operate some scientific instruments until around 2025, after which the power from its radioisotope thermoelectric generators will no longer be sufficient to keep them running.