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ArchiveLesson #31Science

Voyager 1: NASA's Long-Lasting Spacecraft

NASA has turned off one of Voyager 1's instruments to extend its mission, highlighting its significance as the most distant human-made object.

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Voyager 1 is a robotic space launched by NASA in 1977. Originally designed for a five-year , it has now been for nearly fifty years. Recently, NASA decided to turn off one of its science to conserve power and prolong its . Voyager 1 is the farthest human-made object from Earth and has provided valuable information about our solar system.

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Adapted from NPR, 19 April 2026, and rewritten at three levels by Newslish. Newslish is not affiliated with the source. Read the original.

Key vocabulary

  • probe

    a spacecraft used for exploration

    Voyager 1 is a robotic space probe.

  • mission

    a specific task or purpose

    The mission of Voyager 1 was to explore the outer planets.

  • gravity assist

    a technique to gain speed by using a planet's gravity

    Voyager 1 used gravity assist to travel faster.

  • instrument

    a tool used for scientific measurement

    NASA turned off one of Voyager 1's science instruments.

  • operational

    functioning or in working order

    Voyager 1 has been operational for nearly fifty years.

Quick quiz

01When was Voyager 1 launched?

02Why did NASA turn off one of Voyager 1's instruments?

03What is Voyager 1 known for?

04What technique did Voyager 1 use to explore multiple planets?

Answered 0 of 4

Discussion

What do you think is the significance of Voyager 1's discoveries?