Voyager 1 - farthest man made object

Voyager 1 is a space probe launched by NASA on September 5, 1977. Part of the Voyager program to study the outer Solar System, Voyager 1 launched 16 days after its twin, Voyager 2. Having operated for 40 years, 2 months and 19 days as of November 24, 2017, the spacecraft still communicates with the Deep Space Network to receive routine commands and return data. At a distance of 141 AU (2.11×10¹⁰ km) from the Sun as of November 22, 2017, it is the farthest spacecraft from Earth as well as the farthest man-made object. It is also the most distant object in the solar system whose location is known, even farther than Eris (96 AU) and V774104 (~103 AU).

Voyager 1

Voyager 1, artist's impression
Mission type	Outer planetary, heliosphere, and interstellar medium exploration
Operator	NASA / JPL
COSPAR ID	1977-084A
SATCAT no.	10321
Mission duration	40 years, 2 months and 19 days elapsed Planetary mission: 3 years, 3 months, 9 days Interstellar mission: 36 years, 11 months and 10 days elapsed (continuing)
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer	Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Launch mass	825.5 kg (1,820 lb)
Power	420 W
Start of mission
Launch date	September 5, 1977, 12:56:00 UTC (40 years, 2 months and 19 days)
Rocket	Titan IIIE
Launch site	Cape Canaveral LC-41
Flyby of Jupiter
Closest approach	March 5, 1979
Distance	349,000 km (217,000 mi)
Flyby of Saturn
Closest approach	November 12, 1980
Distance	124,000 km (77,000 mi)
Flyby of Titan (Atmosphere study)
Closest approach	November 12, 1980
Distance	6,490 km (4,030 mi)

Where are the Voyagers now?

Voyager 1 is in "Interstellar space" and Voyager 2 is currently in the "Heliosheath" -- the outermost layer of the heliosphere where the solar wind is slowed by the pressure of interstellar gas. Both Voyagers use real spacecraft trajectories and are updated every five minutes. Distance and velocities are updated in real-time. For a full 3D, immersive experience click on View Voyagers link below to launch the NASA Eyes on the Solar System app.

VIEW VOYAGER