“””what other technologies are likely to still be in use 50 or more years”””
Well......There are two computers that, since 1977, have never been turned off.
The Voyager spacecraft use 8-track digital tape recorders (DTRs) to store scientific data, a form of magnetic tape technology, as their primary data storage, relying on this older, robust tech due to limited memory (around 69 KB) and the need to overwrite old data for new observations. These rugged tape systems, built with radiation-hardened components, has allowed the probes to function for decades in deep space, recording and playing back massive amounts of data before transmitting to Earth. Vintage tech still working in interstellar space.
The Voyager spacecraft primarily use Assembly Language for their core, low-level flight software, allowing precise hardware control, while the original ground control and analysis software used FORTRAN (specifically FORTRAN V, later updated to FORTRAN 77), with some parts recently ported to C, reflecting the technology of their 1977 launch era and ongoing maintenance needs.
“”ongoing maintenance needs””
It takes almost 24 hours for information sent from the Voyagers to reach the Earth. And another 24 hours for information/commands to reach back to Voyager.
Both Voyagers left our Solar System years ago. Just as the 3I/ATLAS comet is making a short visit to our Solar System, I wonder if some future civilization will encounter one of the Voyagers.
“I wonder if some future civilization will encounter one of the Voyagers.”
Kirk is not the creator.