Lead
NASA continues to run portions of the original 1970s software on its Voyager spacecraft, a rare example of legacy code persisting in active space missions. The code, written in a language that few modern engineers fully understand, is maintained by a handful of specialists who keep the probes operational as they travel beyond the Solar System.
Background
When Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 launched in 1977, they carried computers that ran software written in assembly and other low‑level languages of the era. Over the decades, most spacecraft have been upgraded or replaced with newer systems, but Voyager’s hardware and software have remained largely unchanged. The original code was written in a language that was common in the 1970s but has since fallen out of use, leaving only a small group of engineers with the knowledge to maintain it.
What Happened
According to a recent SpaceDaily article, NASA’s engineering team still maintains key portions of the Voyager code base. The article notes that the code is written in a 1970s-era programming language that is now almost incomprehensible to most engineers on Earth. A handful of specialists, many of whom are now in their 60s and 70s, continue to support the probes. The article also highlights that these engineers are the only ones who fully understand the intricacies of the code, making their role critical to the continued operation of the Voyager missions.
Market & Industry Implications
None reported in the sources.
