The useful idea
- Launched in 1977
Voyager 1 is a space probe launched by NASA on September 5, 1977, as part of the Voyager program, to study the outer Solar System and the interstellar space beyond the Sun's heliosphere.
- Past the giant planets
The probe made flybys of Jupiter, Saturn, and Saturn's largest moon, Titan.
- Into interstellar space
Voyager 1 crossed the heliopause and entered interstellar space on August 25, 2012, making it the first spacecraft to do so.
Why this matters
Look for Voyager 1 the next time you notice this pattern in everyday life.
Try this
Look for Voyager 1 the next time you notice this pattern in everyday life.
Test your recall
Which idea belongs to the explanation of Voyager 1?
- Into interstellar space
- Past the giant planets
- Launched in 1977 — correct
Voyager 1 is a space probe launched by NASA on September 5, 1977, as part of the Voyager program, to study the outer Solar System and the interstellar space beyond the Sun's heliosphere.