NASA's Voyager Probes Receive Software Patch for Decades-Long Missions

NASA's Voyager spacecraft, which have been in deep space for 46 years, are showing signs of wear and tear. To extend their mission, engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory are implementing measures such as software patches and new thruster operation techniques. The software patch was first tested on Voyager 2 to resolve a computer problem before being sent to Voyager 1. Additionally, engineers have adjusted the thruster operation to prevent fuel line blockages, allowing the spacecraft to return more data over time. These efforts aim to prolong the Voyagers' mission and continue gathering valuable scientific data from interstellar space.