The Voyager Program's Golden Record, officially known as the Voyager Golden Record, is a phonograph record containing sounds and images selected to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth. It was included aboard both Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecraft, which were launched in 1977. The project was spearheaded by Carl Sagan, along with contributions from a team including Ann Druyan, Frank Drake, and Linda Salzman Sagan.
The idea for the Golden Record was conceived as a part of NASA's broader initiative to communicate with potential extraterrestrial civilizations. The Voyager Program was launched during the peak of the space race, but also at a time when humanity was beginning to look beyond competition to the broader context of cosmic exploration and the message humanity might leave for the universe.
The selection of content was intended to reflect the achievements of humanity in science, arts, and culture, as well as the diversity of life on Earth. The record was designed to last for billions of years, given the conditions in space, and serve as a cultural time capsule.
The Golden Record has become an iconic symbol of humanity's attempt to communicate with the cosmos. It encapsulates the hope of making contact with extraterrestrial intelligence, a concept popularized in popular culture and scientific communities. It also serves as a historical document, capturing a snapshot of Earth's cultural and biological diversity at the time of its creation.
NASA's Voyager Golden Record provides detailed information about the content and purpose of the record.
JPL's Voyager Golden Record offers insight into the technical aspects and the journey of the records through space.
Smithsonian Magazine discusses the cultural significance and the story behind the Golden Record.