Humans have always dreamt of a time when we escape the bounds of our neighborhood and into outer space.
NASA just announced that their unmanned probe Voyager 1 is now in interstitial space, meaning it no longer is within the limits of our Solar System. We, as a human race, have now begun to physically explore the far reaches of space.
Voyager 1 was launched on September 5, 1977, to explore Jupiter and Saturn. It then headed further out into space, where it will continue to operate until 2025.
Currently traveling at 11 miles per second, the spacecraft contains a small, gold-plated disc that contains audio recordings of life on Earth, as well as directions for any other life form about life on earth.
Far space exploration is still taking place, even after the well-publicized end of manned space flight. Newer missions include the 2006 launch of New Horizons, which is on course to visit Pluto and Charon by 2015. Launched when Pluto was still categorized as a planet, this will be the first time that Pluto will be seen up close.
Space exploration is an important component in the advancement of our species, and these steps show progress in that direction.