NASA's Voyager Team Upgrades Software and Thrusters to Extend Lifespan

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is updating the firmware of the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecraft, which were launched in the 1970s and are currently beyond our solar system. The updates aim to address communication issues and prevent clogging of thruster propellant inlet tubes. Voyager 2 is being used as a testbed for the patches before implementing them on Voyager 1. These changes will help ensure that both spacecraft continue to transmit valuable scientific data back to Earth as they approach their 50th anniversary.