On this day in space! Sept. 5, 1977: NASA launches Voyager 1 on epic journey across the solar system
NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft, launched on September 5, 1977, continues its mission as the first human-made object to reach interstellar space. Originally designed to explore Jupiter and Saturn, the probe is now traveling toward another star system.
Why it matters
Voyager 1 represents one of humanity's most significant achievements in space exploration and provides ongoing data from beyond our solar system.
Voyager 1 launched to explore Jupiter and Saturn. Today, it's in interstellar space.
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Click for next article Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter On Sept. 5, 1977, Voyager 1 began its epic journey through deep space with a glorious morning launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Voyager 1 initially launched on a mission to explore the outer planets. After flying by Jupiter and Saturn in 1979 and 1980, the spacecraft took a sharp turn and started heading straight out of the solar system.
Voyager 1 became the f irst spacecraft to reach interstellar space in 2012, although scientists are still debating about exactly where that boundary lies.
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