'The people that built the spacecraft are not alive anymore': NASA admits Voyager spacecraft code is still being maintained — even if barely anyone alive knows how to use the language it's programmed in
NASA's Voyager spacecraft, launched in 1977, continues to operate using outdated assembly code. The engineers who originally built the spacecraft are no longer alive, raising concerns about the maintenance of its programming. With only 64 to 70 kilobytes of memory, the spacecraft's computing resources are significantly less than those of modern devices.
- ▪Voyager operates with assembly language written for custom General Electric processors.
- ▪The spacecraft has a total memory of roughly 64 to 70 kilobytes, less than a small image file on a smartphone.
- ▪NASA is struggling to find engineers with the necessary skills to maintain the spacecraft's unique hardware architecture.
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Pro 'The people that built the spacecraft are not alive anymore': NASA admits Voyager spacecraft code is still being maintained — even if barely anyone alive knows how to use the language it's programmed in News By Efosa Udinmwen published 19 May 2026 NASA’s oldest spacecraft now depends on forgotten programming knowledge When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Spacedaily) Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Voyager still operates using assembly code written nearly half a century agoNASA maintains interstellar spacecraft with less memory than a…
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