NASA Invites Public to Signal Voyager 1
A Morse code light-signal event marks Voyager 1 reaching one light-day from Earth on November 18, 2026.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Space
Live Poll
Would you flash a light toward the sky to celebrate Voyager 1?
NASA is organizing the 'Shine Bright for Voyager's Light-Day' public event, inviting participants to flash the Morse code signal 'VGR' toward the sky on November 17, 2026. The activity coincides with Voyager 1 reaching one light-day from Earth the following day.
Why it matters
The event lets the public take part in marking the distance of a spacecraft that launched in 1977 and became the first to enter interstellar space in 2012. It requires only a light source, making it accessible to anyone wishing to participate.
The figures come from NASA mission tracking of Voyager 1, which is over 16 billion miles from Earth and moving at 38,000 mph. The source does not specify what caused the brief communication loss on October 18 and 19, 2026, which NASA reports has been fixed.
The players
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the U.S. government agency responsible for the civilian space program and operates the Voyager missions.
Voyager 1
Voyager 1 is an uncrewed NASA spacecraft launched in 1977 that is now the most distant human-made object from Earth.
The details
Participants flash the Morse code signal 'VGR' toward the sky using a light source partly covered by a hand or cardboard, pausing one second between letters and repeating the signal for a minute. NASA encourages participants to share pictures and videos of the activity on social platforms.
Timeline
September 5, 1977: Voyager 1 launches.
August 25, 2012: Voyager 1 becomes the first spacecraft to enter interstellar space.
October 18-19, 2026: Voyager 1 briefly loses communication, later fixed.
November 17, 2026: Scheduled date for the Morse code signaling event.
Mission Context
Voyager 1 became the first spacecraft to enter interstellar space on August 25, 2012, and the light-day event marks a further distance milestone since that crossing. The spacecraft is expected to last only a few more years, according to the source.
Anyone with a light source can take part in the event on November 17, 2026, by flashing the Morse code signal 'VGR' toward the sky. Participants are encouraged to share their pictures and videos on social platforms.
The takeaway
Participating in the event requires only a light source and a few minutes, offering a direct way to connect with a spacecraft now more than 16 billion miles away.
What happens next
Voyager 1 will reach one light-day from Earth on November 18, 2026, the day after the public signaling event.
Further reading
Explore more Space coverage to follow the Voyager missions and other deep-space exploration.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Starlust.
Live Poll
Would you flash a light toward the sky to celebrate Voyager 1?
