Voyager 1 deep space

Voyager 1 became the first human-made object to enter interstellar space, unveiling secrets of the outer Solar System and carrying the Golden Record.

About this subject

Launched on September 5, 1977, by NASA, Voyager 1 was designed to study the giant planets Jupiter and Saturn. In 1979, it flew by Jupiter and discovered volcanic activity on its moon Io. Two years later, it reached Saturn, revealing details of its rings and the moon Titan, which has a thick atmosphere. After that encounter, the spacecraft followed a trajectory that took it out of the ecliptic plane, beginning its journey into interstellar space.

On August 25, 2012, Voyager 1 crossed the heliopause, the boundary where the solar wind meets the interstellar medium, becoming the first human-made object to enter interstellar space. Onboard instruments measure magnetic fields, cosmic rays, and plasma waves, providing unprecedented data about this little-known region. The spacecraft continues to send information back to Earth, even though it is over 24 billion kilometers away, making it the farthest man-made object.

Voyager 1 carries the Golden Record, a phonograph disc with sounds and images representing the diversity of life and culture on Earth. Designed by a team led by Carl Sagan, the record contains greetings in 55 languages, music from different eras, and location maps. The intent is that if ever intercepted by an extraterrestrial civilization, they could understand something of humanity. Voyager 1 continues to operate using power from its radioisotope thermoelectric generators, but its instruments are expected to be gradually shut down by 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Voyager 1 now?

Voyager 1 is in interstellar space, more than 24 billion kilometers from the Sun. It continues to send scientific data back to Earth.

How long will Voyager 1 last?

Its power generators are expected to provide electricity for the remaining instruments until about 2025. After that, the spacecraft will continue its silent journey through space.

What is the Voyager Golden Record?

It is a copper phonograph record plated with gold that contains sounds and images representative of Earth, including greetings in 55 languages, music, and location maps, created to communicate human diversity to possible extraterrestrial life.