Voyager 1 is a space probe that was launched by NASA on September 5, 1977, at 12:56 UTC from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It was part of the Voyager program, designed to explore the outer solar system and eventually the interstellar space. The probe's primary mission was to conduct flybys of Jupiter and Saturn, sending back invaluable data about these distant planets and their moons. One of the most remarkable aspects of this mission was its use of a gravity assist from Jupiter to increase its velocity towards Saturn.

The spacecraft carries the famous 'Golden Record', a phonograph record intended to communicate the story of our world to extraterrestrials. The record contains various sounds, including greetings in multiple languages, music from diverse cultures, and images representing life and culture on Earth. This unique feature of the mission highlights humanity's longing for connection and exploration, reflecting the spirit of curiosity.

Voyager 1 continued its journey into the outer reaches of the solar system, eventually entering interstellar space in 2012, becoming the farthest human-made object from Earth. Its journey provides scientists knowledge about the heliosphere, the bubble of particles and magnetic fields surrounding our solar system, and gives insight into interstellar cosmic rays.

Throughout its mission, Voyager 1's data has expanded our understanding of planetary science, astrophysics, and the potential for life beyond Earth. The probe remains operational and continues to send messages back to Earth, although the signals took over 21 hours to reach us as it traverses vast distances.