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Voyager 1 launched in 1977 on a four-year mission and is still flying 49 years later, now so far away that in November 2026 a radio signal will take a full 24 hours to reach it — so when engineers say "good morning" on a Monday, the answer won't arrive un
NASA's Voyager 1 probe will reach a distance of one light-day from Earth on November 18, 2026. This means radio signals will take a full 24 hours to reach the spacecraft. The probe has been flying for 49 years since its 1977 launch.
What changed
The probe is set to break a cosmic record by reaching a distance of one light-day from Earth.
Live updates
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Voyager 1 to Reach One Light-Day Distance in November 2026
confidence 90%NASA's Voyager 1 probe will reach a distance of one light-day from Earth on November 18, 2026. This means radio signals will take a full 24 hours to reach the spacecraft. The probe has been flying for 49 years since its 1977 launch.
What's confirmed:
- Voyager 1 launched in 1977 on a mission originally planned for four years.
- The spacecraft will be one light-day from Earth on November 18, 2026.
- In November 2026, a radio signal will take 24 hours to reach the probe.
- Voyager 1 has been flying for 49 years.
Still unconfirmed:
- A small JPL team is keeping the probe alive by reviving thrusters that were dead for 20 years and switching off heaters.
- Voyager 1 launched at 8:56 AM Eastern Daylight Time on 5 September 1977 from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.