Voyager 1, launched during Jimmy Carter's administration, is back to sending signals.

It went silent a few months ago. Engineers at Jet Propulsion lab sent corrective instructions over billions of miles to re-program the space probe.

It worked. There is still fine tuning to take place but it is still "alive."

The original plans, called for it to stop sending signals in about 5 years after launch.

Wouldn’t fault it for thinking we’re still in Jimmy Carter’s administration.

I heard one of Voyager's engineers on the latest "Hard Fork" podcast, discussing how it was done.  It's on YouTube, and if I did this right the interview is cued up (starts just before the 48 minute mark, if I didn't do it right) - 

[Edited to add] I didn't do it right.

The Voyager program is a stunning achievement, imho.

It does not get the attention it deserves.

nohero said:

I heard one of Voyager's engineers on the latest "Hard Fork" podcast, discussing how it was done.  It's on YouTube, and if I did this right the interview is cued up (starts just before the 48 minute mark, if I didn't do it right) - 

[Edited to add] I didn't do it right.

Try this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XT92qckRLo&t=2878s

marksierra said:

Try this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XT92qckRLo&t=2878s

My guess is that it works if you link it, not if it's embedded here.

nohero said:

marksierra said:

Try this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XT92qckRLo&t=2878s

My guess is that it works if you link it, not if it's embedded here.

Yes, I discovered that, too .. over a number of page edits.

Strange.

marksierra said:

nohero said:

marksierra said:

Try this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XT92qckRLo&t=2878s

My guess is that it works if you link it, not if it's embedded here.

Yes, I discovered that, too .. over a number of page edits.

Strange.

This is one reason why we're not going to be allowed to reprogram deep space probes like Voyager - there's only one chance, no room for error.