When Voyager 1 launched in 1977, each of its main computer systems had less than 70 kilobytes of memory — smaller than a typical phone photo — and that 1970s hardware is still carrying out commands fr
NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft continues to operate using 1970s-era computer systems with less than 70 kilobytes of memory. The mission's longevity is attributed to deliberate redundant hardware design.
Why it matters
This demonstrates the effectiveness of robust, redundant engineering in extreme environments, challenging modern assumptions about the necessity of high-performance computing.
The most distant object humans have ever built runs on computers with less memory than a typical phone photograph.
The article is a technical summary of historical engineering and mission status.
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