Voyager 1s Saturn flyby occurred in November 1980 , with the closest approach on November 12 when it came within 124,000 kilometers ( 77,000 miles ) of the planet 's cloud-tops . Voyager 1s Saturnian flyby occurred in November 1980 , with the closest approach on November 12 , 1980 , when the space probe came within 124000 k of Saturn 's cloud-tops .