In 1977, NASA launched one of the most ambitious space missions ever — certainly the longest, since it's still going on. Voyager 1 and 2 have traveled farther than any other human-made object, visiting every planet in the solar system along the way. They're both still zooming through space, destined to leave the reaches of the sun's solar wind and travel into deep space — a record-breaking goal that Voyager 1 achieved in 2012 and Voyager 2 is just reaching as of 2017. If they ever make it to another solar system that contains intelligent life, humanity is ready: Both probes carry a 12-inch gold-plated phonograph record designed to communicate a story of Earth to any life that might find it.
Related Video: Remembering Carl Sagan
Greetings From Earth
Earth's Greatest Hits
Sagan's Smooth Move
Space Show Writer On Voyager's "Golden Record"
Written by Ashley Hamer August 20, 2017
Wake up with the smartest email in your inbox.
Our Best Articles Daily