I saw this meme and figured I'd comment.

Not quite but not far off. A little bit less memory and an earlier version of FORTRAN (Formula Translation System). The probe is still active.

The probe was launched in 1977 with preliminary development starting in the 60s. FORTRAN77 hadn't yet been developed; if FORTRAN, probably a version of FORTRAN IV. The 6 computer system - built of essentially Texas Instrument's 7400 series TTL CMOS (more likely the 5400 series) - has a total of 32k memory made of what could be considered specialized layered PCB traces. And yes, it did have an 8-trak tape recorder - though not of the type found in cars of the late 60s/early 70s.

Of the 6 custom computers, 2 18-bit word units were dedicated to the command system (each 4096 words), 2 16-bit 8198 word units were for the flight data, 2 18-bit 4096 each units were for attitude control. The command system has been operating continuously since 1977 - the control electronics did not include a microprocessor (my hoopty-doo up-to-date computer system has to be re-booted every so often, usually at inconvenient times). Power is provided by what is essentially a nuclear reactor.

Both Voyager probes are still fully active although the isotopes providing power are expected to decay beyond usefulness in 2036. Having been designed before computers changed from being assistance tools to controlling elements, and when design engineering depended more on empirical data rather than models, it is no wonder these over-achieving probes are still active.

FORTRAN was the first compiled computer language being developed in 1956. It is still among the top 10 computer languages in use today.

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