Voyager 1 recently made headlines for crossing the boundary of the heliosphere, entering interstellar space in 2012. It continues to send back data from the edge of the Solar System, providing valuable insights into the interstellar medium. In 2020, Voyager 1 detected a hum that scientists believe is caused by interstellar gas vibrations.
Launched by NASA on September 5, 1977, Voyager 1 is part of the Voyager program aimed at studying the outer Solar System. It was followed by its twin, Voyager 2, and has been operational for over 43 years. Voyager 1's primary mission was to explore Jupiter and Saturn, but it has since continued its journey towards interstellar space. The spacecraft carries a golden record with sounds and images from Earth, intended for any intelligent extraterrestrial life it may encounter. Voyager 1's longevity and groundbreaking discoveries have solidified its place in space exploration history.