Decoding the Cosmos: Voyager's 1970s Algorithms Meet Today's Cutting-Edge Tech - Pieter van der Meer

In the early 1970s, the world was grooving to disco, slide rules were essential tools for engineers, and pocket calculators were considered groundbreaking technology. During this era, NASA engineers achieved something extraordinary—they built Voyager’s data systems with incredible foresight, creating technology that could transmit signals across billions of miles and survive the noise of deep space. Fast-forward to today, and we’re still decoding these signals. In this talk, we’ll explore how Voyager’s 1970s-era coding genius—developed without modern computing tools—collides with today’s technological breakthroughs. We’ll examine the Viterbi algorithm, a contemporary marvel from the same era, and compare it with the exciting potential of machine learning, a cutting-edge approach that could transform how we process interstellar data. This isn’t just a history lesson—it’s an exciting adventure in algorithms and innovation. Expect examples of the science and demonstrations of real encoding and decoding methods using hardcore coding and modern machine-learning counterparts. Whether you’re a developer, a data scientist, or a space tech enthusiast, you’ll walk away with fresh insights, some serious “wow” moments, and a new appreciation for the intersection of vintage tech and next-gen innovation.