Voyager 1
In short
Voyager 1 is a NASA space probe launched in 1977 that is currently the most distant human-made object from Earth. As of October 2026, it is located approximately 25.8 billion kilometres away in interstellar space.
In plain words
It is a robotic spacecraft sent to study the outer planets and the space between stars. It sends data back to Earth using a massive network of radio antennas.
A simple example
The probe sends back signals that travel for many hours before they finally reach scientists on Earth.
Why it matters
It provides our first direct measurements of the environment outside our solar system. It serves as a long-term messenger for humanity in deep space.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse it with its twin, Voyager 2, which is also travelling through the solar system on a different path.