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 38 years, 11 months and 23 days, the spacecraft still communicates with the Deep Space Network to receive routine commands and return data. At a distance of 135 AU (2.02×1010 km) from the Sun as of June 2016, it is the farthest spacecraft from Earth. NASA says that “The Voyagers are destined—perhaps eternally—to wander the Milky Way.”
Source: Wikipedia
The Voyager spaceprobe is currently on the greatest journeys ever known to man. Yet I feel sad to see it go. I feel sad because it is never coming back. It is also kind of frightening. I imagine a man-made robot drifting in space, moving constantly in a direction opposite to home. How would you feel if you were travelling away from home knowing its a one-way ticket? How frightened would you be?
The thought of this lone traveller fascinates me. Being someone who is afraid to swim in a pool alone, the very thought of this piece of human creation floating alone out there gives me the shivers. Yet, it must have witnessed amazing things during its journey. Things words cannot describe. Who knows? It might see planets that contain life someday!
Random Thought Beam 