Hack

[[A white-on-black drawing of the ISEE-3 ICE probe.]] The ISEE-3 ICE probe was launched in 1978. Its mission ended in 1997 and it was sent a shutdown signal. [[Back to black-on-white text.]] In 2008, we learned--to our surprise--that the probe didn't shut down. It's still running and it has plenty of fuel. ...and in 2014, its orbit brings it near Earth. [[Two figures talking.]] Figure 1: We could sent it on a new mission... except we no longer have the equipment to send commands to it. Figure 2: Can't we- [[Camera frame closes in slightly on the first figure.]] Figure 1: NASA won't rebuild it. "Too expensive." Figure 2: Seriously? Figure 2: I know, right? So the internet found the specs and we went to work. [[Camera zooms out as the two figures walk through an area with two other figures seated at desks working on laptops; one of the seated figures is wearing a headset.]] Figure 1: We've convinced them to give us time on the Madrid DSN transmitter and hacked the maser to support the uplink. And today's the big day. [[Camera focuses on the figure with the headset.]] Headset Operator 1: Transmitting... We have a signal! We have control! [[Camera flips back to the first figure.]] Figure 1: Okay, transmit the new comet rendezvous maneuver sequen- Off screen: What the hell? [[Camera zooms back out to show all four figures.]] Headset Operator 1: My console went dead! Operator 2: Mine too! Figure 1: What's happening? [[Camera back to figure with headset, staring at screen.]] Headset Operator 1: There's a new signal going out over the transmitter! Figure 1 (from offscreen): A bug? Headset Operator 1: Someone else is in the system! [[Camera switches to the second operator.]] Operator 2: Kill the connection! Headset Operator 1 (from offscreen): I can't find it! Operator 2: They're firing the probe's engines! Headset Operator 1 (from offscreen): No!! [[Camera switches back to the headset operator.]] Figure 1 (from offscreen): Who's doing this?? Stop them! Operator 2 (from offscreen): I'm trying! Headset Operator 1: Look! My screen! [[The camera zooms back to show all of them, and a message is being shown on the headset operator's screen, in red.]] M-E-S-S-W-I-T-H-T-H-E-B-E-S-T D-I-E-L-I-K-E-T-H-E-R-E-S-T [[Camera cuts to a pool with two figures in it.]] [[Camera zooms out to show that the pool is on the roof of a downtown building. We see the figures' speech coming from it.]] Burn: Crash? Crash: Yeah, Burn? [[Same skyline view.]] Burn: Make a wish. [[A meteor passes through the sky above the city skyline.]] {{Title text: HACK THE STARS}}

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Comics I enjoy:
Three Word Phrase, SMBC, Dinosaur Comics, Oglaf (nsfw), A Softer World, Buttersafe, Perry Bible Fellowship, Questionable Content, Buttercup Festival, Homestuck, Junior Scientist Power Hour

Other things:
Tips on technology and government,
Climate FAQ, Katharine Hayhoe

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