In order to fix the malfunctioning code on Voyager 1, the team devised a plan to divide the affected sections and store them in different locations within the FDS. Before implementing this plan, they needed to ensure that the code sections functioned properly as a whole and update any references to their location in other parts of the FDS memory.
The first step in this plan was to identify the code responsible for packaging the spacecraft’s engineering data. This code was moved to its new location in the FDS memory on April 18. Due to the time it takes for radio signals to reach Voyager 1 from Earth, which is about 22 ½ hours, and another 22 ½ hours for a signal to return, the team had to wait until April 20 to hear back from the spacecraft.
Fortunately, when the mission flight team received feedback from Voyager 1 on April 20, they found that the modification had worked. This meant that for the first time in five months, they were able to check the health and status of the spacecraft, a crucial step in ensuring the mission’s success.